Ozempic Launches in India at Rs 2,200/Week for Type-2 Diabetes

Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk has launched its once-weekly semaglutide injection, Ozempic, in India, priced at ₹8,800 for 0.25 mg, ₹10,170 for 0.5 mg, and ₹11,175 for 1 mg, translating to a weekly starting cost of around ₹2,200. Approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise, Ozempic is aimed at adults with type-2 diabetes with HbA1c levels above 7%, including those with high cardiovascular risk. The therapy is known globally for lowering blood sugar, supporting weight loss, and reducing heart and kidney complications.

India, home to over 101 million people with diabetes and 136 million with prediabetes, faces rising obesity and metabolic disorders, making the timing of Ozempic’s launch crucial. The drug joins Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in a growing market for GLP-1-based therapies, which is expected to expand from ₹1,000 crore in 2024 to ₹4,640 crore by 2030. Ozempic’s appetite-regulating effects and multi-benefit profile could help improve long-term metabolic outcomes in the country.

With semaglutide’s core patent in India expiring in September 2024 and a secondary patent valid until March 2026, generic competition may emerge soon. Novo Nordisk plans to make Ozempic widely available through its expanded supply chain, offering 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg FlexTouch pens for gradual dose titration. Experts predict the pricing strategy could give Novo an edge over competitors and safeguard its market position ahead of upcoming generics.