 |
| Ozempic launches in India / Photo File (indiatvnews.com) |
Novo Nordisk has officially launched Ozempic in India, pricing the 0.25 mg weekly dose at $24.35, as the company seeks to capture a major share of one of the world’s fastest-growing diabetes and obesity markets. India, home to the second-largest population of type 2 diabetes patients after China, is expected to play a pivotal role in driving global growth for metabolic and weight-loss drugs this decade.
Ozempic will be available in pen format in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg doses. The monthly prices are:
- ₹8,800 for 0.25 mg
- ₹10,170 for 0.5 mg
- ₹11,175 for 1 mg
Each pen provides four weekly doses, making it suitable for long-term treatment plans.
India Becomes a Key Market
Rising obesity rates and an expanding pool of type 2 diabetes patients make India a critical battleground for companies producing GLP-1–based drugs. Industry analysts project the global market for anti-obesity and diabetes medications could reach $150 billion annually by the end of the decade.
First approved in the U.S. in 2017, Ozempic has since become a worldwide bestseller, including broad off-label use for weight reduction. Novo also highlights its added benefits of lowering cardiovascular and kidney-related risks.
Use Restricted to Specialists
According to consultant endocrinologist Dr. Shashank Joshi, the drug can only be prescribed by:
- Endocrinologists
- Internal medicine specialists
He emphasised that Ozempic is not a cosmetic weight-loss drug and must be used only for medical indications.
Benefits Beyond Blood Sugar Control
Novo Nordisk India head Vikrant Shrotriya noted that Ozempic can help diabetic patients lose up to 8 kg, offering metabolic improvements well beyond glucose management.
Growing Competition in India
Novo faces increasing competition from:
- Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, approved for diabetes and weight loss
- Wegovy, Novo’s own weight-loss drug launched in India in June
In November, Novo slashed Wegovy’s price by up to 37% ahead of semaglutide’s patent expiry in March 2026.
Indian pharmaceutical giants including Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr Reddy’s, and Lupin are also developing generic versions of semaglutide to capture future demand.
Novo had been planning the Ozempic launch for months, seeking early market entry before cheaper domestic competitors emerge, according to earlier reports from Reuters.
Post a Comment