As the pricing war in India’s GLP-1 therapy market intensifies, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has sharply reduced prices of its blockbuster semaglutide brands Ozempic and Wegovy to expand patient access.
The starting price of Ozempic has been cut by 36%, while Wegovy has seen a steeper 48% reduction.
This brings the base price of both brands at par at Rs 5,660 per month for treatment.
The new prices in India will be effective from April 1.
ET was the first to report that Novo Nordisk was planning a price cut, targeting a monthly range of Rs 5,000–6,000.
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“The latest price cuts are aimed at making the therapies more accessible to a larger section of people living with diabetes and obesity in India,” Novo Nordisk India head Vikrant Shrotriya told ET.
Ozempic, indicated for type 2 diabetes management, will be available in price range of Rs 5,660 to Rs 8,100 for its three dosages (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg). Wegovy, indicated for chronic weight management, will be priced in the range of Rs 5,660-Rs 16,400 across five available dosages (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg) Compared to this, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) costs between Rs 13,000 and Rs 26,000 per Kwikpen, depending on the dosage. Each pen contains four weekly doses.
Sun Pharmaceuticals, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Zydus Lifesciences are among large Indian companies that rolled out generic semaglutide on the first day of patent expiry on March 21.
Dr Reddy’s has priced its GLP1 injection Obeda at Rs 4,200 per month, while Sun’s prices for weekly therapy are Rs 900-2,000 for Noveltreat (indicated for chronic weight management) and Rs 750-1,300 for Sematrinity (indicated for treatment of type-2 diabetes). Zydus’ semaglutide injection on average costs Rs 2,200 for a month.
Companies like Natco and Eris have introduced more affordable vial options, priced as low as Rs 1,290 for a month’s supply.