India is preparing to launch low-cost generic versions of semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy as patents expire in 2026. With pharma companies and regulators aligned, these generics could dramatically reduce costs, expand access to obesity and diabetes treatments, and reshape India’s weight-loss drug market for millions of patients.
Key Highlights
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Patent Expiry Opens Doors: The blockbuster drug semaglutide, marketed globally as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus by Novo Nordisk, is set to lose patent protection in 2026. This paves the way for Indian pharmaceutical companies to roll out affordable generics.
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Indian Pharma’s Big Move: Leading domestic firms are already preparing to manufacture cost-effective versions of these drugs, aiming to make them accessible to a wider population.
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Market Transformation: India’s weight-loss drug market is expected to expand rapidly, given the country’s high prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Surveys show strong demand, with affluent Indians previously importing these drugs at exorbitant prices.
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Global Context: Semaglutide has become a game-changer worldwide, not only for diabetes management but also for weight loss. India’s entry into affordable generics could position it as a major supplier to other emerging markets.
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Policy Push: The initiative aligns with India’s broader healthcare goals of reducing lifestyle disease burdens and ensuring equitable access to advanced therapies.
Why It Matters
The arrival of cheaper Ozempic-like drugs in India could revolutionize obesity and diabetes care. For patients, it means dramatically lower costs compared to imported versions, making treatments more sustainable. For the healthcare system, it represents a strategic win against lifestyle diseases, which are among India’s fastest-growing health challenges.
Economically, this move strengthens India’s role as a global pharmaceutical hub, echoing its success in producing affordable HIV and cancer drugs. Socially, it could democratize access to weight-loss therapies, shifting them from luxury treatments to mainstream healthcare solutions.
Sources: Financial Express, News18, INDIAai Health Desk