Why Generic Weight Loss Medications Are Likely To Become More Popular

Weight loss medications are becoming a more common treatment for patients, as a result of their availability and the increased medication options in recent years not to mention, several celebrity endorsements.

As brand name weight loss medications continue to grow the market with more options each year, many patients have begun to wonder why generic weight loss drugs are expected to be more popular than their brand name alternatives, once they become available in Canada.

The biggest reason why generic weight loss medications are expected to be so popular when they hit the market is that they should be more affordable than their brand-named alternatives. To explain why people have these expectations, we’ve put together some information about the benefits of generic weight loss medications, and why popularity for these options is likely to grow once they’re available.

What Are Generic Weight Loss Medications?

Generic weight loss medications are quite simply bioequivalent substitutes to brand name drugs, and generally, they take the name of the active ingredient that it contains.

Contrary to what many people believe, brand name versions of medications are actually released first. Generic versions are released later, once the original patent has expired. Generic versions contain the same active ingredients as the original brand products, and are available in the same strengths and dosage forms as the originals.

A generic drug must be Health Canada approved to work the same way in your body as the brand name drug. The main difference is their names.

Brand name medications cost more to develop (i.e., due to research and development, marketing, etc.), which means generic weight loss drugs are expected to be much cheaper to produce, since the R&D has already been done by the brand name manufacturer.

SIDE NOTE: It’s very important to understand that using generic vs brand name weight loss medications should not impact the effectiveness for most patients. As long as you’re getting your generic weight loss drugs from a registered, licensed pharmacy (like Felix), they are just as safe as their brand name counterparts.

Compounded vs Generic Medications

It’s essential to understand the difference between generic vs compounded medications, because they are not the same thing.

Compounded drugs are medications that have been specifically mixed and prepared for one specific individual patient. This is usually done at a compounding pharmacy by a specially trained pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Some patients could need compounded medications due to:

• The medication not being commercially available
• The patient being allergic to an ingredient in the commercial version of the drug
• The prescribed dosage or dose form not being available
• The commercial equivalent being on backorder or discontinued

We should note though that at this time, Felix does not provide any compounded medication services for weight loss.

Why Generic Weight Loss Drugs Are Expected to Gain Popularity

Since weight loss medications have been on the market, many patients have considered them a luxury. This is because the brand name versions are so expensive and many insurance benefits don’t cover them.

Generic weight loss medications are likely to change the way people think about these types of treatments, because they will likely end up costing only a fraction of their brand name counterparts, while still providing patients with the exact same benefits.

Brand name notoriety is likely to become less of a concern for patients, and they will likely  focus instead on finding an affordable, sustainable weight management solution that will work well with each person’s unique needs.

Trends Driving the Generic Weight Loss Medication Anticipation

Pricing is the biggest factor driving interest in generic weight loss medications, but this isn’t the only reason starting to emerge and why you should consider choosing generic weight loss drugs.

Consumer demand has risen exponentially for weight loss drugs, as the awareness of the health concerns associated with having overweight and obesity have increased. Additionally, celebrity endorsements, buzz across social media platforms have also increased the awareness and acceptance of these medications as treatment options.

How Generic Weight Loss Drugs Are Going to Change the Market

When they first came to market, weight loss medications felt like an expense that many people could not afford; especially since private insurance coverage is often limited for these medications.

Now, the prospect of generic weight loss medications is shifting this perspective by providing treatment options that may end up costing as much as 55% less compared to their brand name equivalent.

As the price of weight loss medications comes down, demand will naturally increase.  Supply constraints from a single or even limited number of manufacturers may mean patients can’t access the medication treatment they want or need.  The introduction of multiple generic manufacturers will ensure that Canadians have reliable supply for their ongoing treatment.

Comparing Generic & Brand-Name Weight Loss Medications

Generic weight loss drug versions function in the body in the same way as their brand name alternatives. So, the only significant difference that most people notice between generic vs brand name medications is their names. Some medications are administered differently than others, but this has nothing to do with it being generic vs brand name.

How they’re used, which dosage would be best for you, and which weight loss medication would make the most sense for you is something that needs to be determined with your licensed healthcare practitioner. 

When generic weight loss medications become available, your healthcare practitioner or pharmacist can determine if it is appropriate for you to switch to a generic version. You can explore our holistic Weight Management Program and learn more about the weight management support our team can offer you on your weight management journey.

Benefits of Choosing Generic Over Brand-Name Weight Loss Medications

The biggest and most anticipated reason for patients to choose generic vs brand name weight loss medications when they’re available is the expected cost and availability of the various medication versions.

Generic weight loss drugs should make it easier and more affordable for patients to get the treatment that they need for their health and wellbeing; especially if the associated costs are currently of concern as a result of limited insurance coverage. 

If you’d like to learn more about how insurance works, we suggest reading our page on Understanding Insurance for more information.

Safety and Effectiveness of Generic Weight Loss Drugs

You can rest assured that when they become available, generic weight loss medications provided by Felix and our pharmacy partners will be authorized for sale by Health Canada (just like all of our treatments), so that we can ensure they’re as safe and effective as their brand name counterparts.

REMEMBER: In order for these medications to be authorized for sale, they must contain the same active ingredient, with the same strength, dosage, form, and function in the body and meet the same quality, safety, and manufacturing standards as brand name weight loss medications.

Availability of Generic Weight Loss Medications in Canada

While some weight loss medications are soon going to be available in Canada, in order to request a health assessment from Felix, you must be over the age of 18 and live in one of our serviceable provinces across the country (i.e., Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan).

If you meet those requirements, you’ll be able to submit your health and medical history information for one of our licensed healthcare practitioners to assess. They will then reach out to you (usually within 24 hours) to discuss treatment options.

Once they’re on the market, if you are interested in generic weight loss medications, you can discuss with your healthcare practitioner if switching to a generic medication is appropriate for you. If you’d like to be notified when generic semaglutide (a weight loss medication) is available through us, we invite you to join our helpful waitlist, and we’ll send you a notification.

When Should I Contact Felix About Generic Weight Loss Medications?

Been thinking about requesting weight loss medications, but aren’t sure which one would be right for you? Aren’t sure which type of weight management plan would make the most sense for your unique needs?

Then you’ve come to the right place! Felix can help provide you with a secure online assessment from the privacy and comfort of your own home. You can submit your assessment for review anytime that makes sense for your schedule, and one of our licensed healthcare practitioners will respond to your request to go over your health and treatment options. 

You can also explore the ways that our team can assist you with your weight management goals through our Weight Loss Program. It’s just a few of the ways we’re helping you take back control of your health and well-being, so you can get back to living life on your terms - the way it should be!