Understanding Generic GLP-1s: A New Era for Weight Management
Physical Health · Jun 22, 2026
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Ma, MD, CCFP, Dipl. of ABOM, MB-EAT QI
Clinical Lead, Weight Management, TELUS Health
Clinical Lead, Weight Management, TELUS Health
Notice: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
When it comes to reaching your weight loss goals, it can often feel like you are fighting an uphill battle against your own biology. Trying to manage your weight while navigating the body’s natural hunger and appetite signals can be challenging and, at times, leave you feeling stuck.
Effective weight management
starts with understanding how your body works—not blaming yourself when things get difficult. For years, many people have received the message that weight management is simply about eating less and moving more. While healthy habits remain the foundation, we now know that sustaining those changes is often more complex than it seems, in part because of biological factors that influence hunger, fullness, cravings, and body weight.
As our understanding of weight regulation evolves, so too does the conversation around weight management. Recently, a specific class of medications called GLP-1s has been in the news due to the introduction of generic options in Canada. GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, which is a naturally occurring hormone in your body that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.
In the spring of 2026, Health Canada approved the first generic versions of semaglutide (a GLP-1 medication). This introduces an important new chapter for accessible, evidence-based care.
What exactly is a generic GLP-1?
Generic versions of these medications are the pharmaceutical equivalent to their brand-name counterparts. According to Health Canada, this means they contain the same active ingredient and must meet the same rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
To gain approval by Health Canada, generic medications must demonstrate bioequivalence to the original brand-name drug. This means they deliver the same active ingredient into your bloodstream into the body in a way that is expected to produce the same clinical effect and safety profile. For patients, this may mean access to the same medication at a lower cost.
While these generic medications are currently approved by Health Canada for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, healthcare providers may sometimes prescribe them for weight management based on their sole clinical judgment and established medical criteria.
💡 Want to learn how it works?
Explore our
Explore our
thoughtful, medically guided approach to weight management
and meet our team of specialized experts.“In my clinical practice, I see people blaming themselves for weight issues that aren't just about willpower, without ever being given the full biological context of what actually happens in our bodies. This is something I explain to my patients every day, and it’s the kind of insight that truly matters—how to understand your body better, so that you can move forward with confidence and clarity in your health journey. For some people, medications can be a helpful tool because they work with the body's existing biology. The introduction of generic options is exciting because it reduces barriers to evidence-based care and allows more people to access the support that is right for them..”
- Dr. Lisa Ma
Who May Benefit From a Weight Management Assessment?
While BMI is one screening tool used in clinical practice, it is only one part of the overall assessment. Health, body composition, metabolic risk, and individual circumstances all matter when determining the most appropriate treatment approach.
Most clinical guidelines use BMI criteria alongside your overall health context, though individual assessment is always required. You may be eligible if you have a BMI ≥ 30, or a BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related condition (like prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, or PCOS).
However, biology isn't uniform. BMI thresholds can be lower for some ethnic groups, as metabolic risk can occur at lower body weights. For example, people of South Asian, East Asian, or Southeast Asian backgrounds may be considered at increased cardiometabolic risk at lower BMI cutoffs. This is one reason a face-to-face video appointment is so important: it allows your clinician to conduct a comprehensive assessment and better understand your unique health profile, risk factors, and goals to develop a treatment plan tailored to you.
The Bottom Line
The introduction of generic alternatives provides Canadian patients and the healthcare system with additional and potentially more affordable options. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight management. Prescription medications are not appropriate for everyone and are only one potential tool within a comprehensive care plan.
Sustainable health outcomes are best supported by a combination of medical care, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, behaviour change, and ongoing support. The most effective approach is the one that is personalized to your unique health needs, goals, and circumstances.
If you have questions about treatment plans that might be appropriate for your unique health profile, the best first step is to consult a qualified medical professional. You can open the TELUS Health MyCare app to connect with a Nurse Practitioner who will provide a comprehensive assessment of your individual health needs and provide personalized guidance.¹
Start your weight loss journey today
Ready for a sustainable, stigma-free solution for your weight loss goals? Download the TELUS Health MyCare™ app to book your face-to-face video appointment with a specialized Nurse Practitioner.
References & Disclaimers
- Medication options are subject to clinical eligibility and are prescribed at the sole discretion of the treating practitioner. Weight loss medication can be delivered discreetly to your door through partner pharmacy fulfillment.
- Score based on internal TELUS Health MyCare post-consultation user satisfaction surveys.
- Lower BMI cut-offs (≥ 23 to 25kg/m2) for defining metabolic risk in individuals of South Asian, East Asian, and Southeast Asian backgrounds are recognized in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) and Obesity Canada clinical guidelines.
