The medicine \u2013 sold as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes \u2013 has limited NHS availability, so about 1.5 million people in the UK<\/a> are currently buying it from online pharmacies, with prices ranging from \u00a3100 to \u00a3200 a month.<\/p>\n Cheaper \u201cgeneric<\/a>\u201d versions of semaglutide cannot yet be made because of patents held by Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk.<\/p>\n But when the main patent expires, in 2031, firms that make generic medicines are likely to seize the chance to make cut-price semaglutide. Online pharmacies would be able to drop their prices to consumers similarly.<\/p>\n The price could fall by up to 90 per cent, according to Robert Russell-Pavier, economics director of Medicines UK, which represents generics firms.<\/p>\n He said a large price fall is likely because there is such a big market for weight loss jabs. \u201cWhen do you see such big price declines? It\u2019s usually when there is a large market and so manufacturers can supply in economies of scale.\u201d<\/p>\n By how much the price could drop<\/p>\n A similar prediction was given by Dr Rose Hughes, an attorney for pharmaceutical patent firm Evolve. \u201cNormally you\u2019d see a really dramatic fall as soon as there was any loss of the patent exclusivity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n However Daniel Chancellor, vice-president of pharmaceutical analysis firm Norstella, said the price drop may be less than usual because semaglutide is a large peptide molecule and so more complex to make than simpler, smaller molecules.<\/p>\n The potential market is so large because a quarter of adults in the UK are classed as obese, making them eligible to take semaglutide.<\/p>\n Another large fraction of the population would be eligible because, while not obese, they have a body mass index of 27 or over and have a medical condition such as high blood pressure.<\/p>\n Appetite for the medicines has also been growing as evidence has emerged showing they can reduce conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n Another factor likely to push down the price of generics is the number of companies competing in the market.<\/p>\n Given the large profits currently being made by Novo Nordisk, many such firms will already be planning their generic version, said Mr Chancellor. \u201cTheir pipeline is patent expiries. They have them mapped out 10, 20 years in the future,\u201d he said. \u201cThe whole generics ecosystem will be vying to develop their own formulations.<\/p>\n Mr Russell-Pavier added: \u201cOne would have to expect lots of competition, and competition will bring the price down.\u201d<\/p>\n A cut of the profits will still have to go to online pharmacies selling the medicines, many of which are partnering with online weight management firms<\/a>, which use apps to give patients crucial advice on how to manage side effects and adjust their dose.<\/p>\n Generic forms of Mounjaro<\/a>, a similar weight loss injection that is more potent than semaglutide, are likely to arrive in 2037.<\/p>\n Disputes between drug makers<\/p>\n There is uncertainty over the exact date when generic weight loss jabs will arrive, as big drug companies tend to lodge many patents relating to the same medicine \u2013 for instance in relation to dosing regimes or manufacturing processes \u2013 which are often challenged by generics firms.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the start of the drug development process, they would normally file on the active ingredient itself. And then as development occurs, and they say, \u2018This is how we\u2019ll administer it\u2019, they\u2019ll then seek to get further patents on those aspects,\u201d said David Spinner, a patent attorney with Greaves Brewster.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_252601087.jpg\")
When the patent for semaglutide expires, many firms may start making it (Photo: aprott\/Getty Images\/ iStockphoto)<\/p>\n