Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk has cut the price of its flagship diabetes and weight loss brand Wegovy (semaglutide) by up to 37% across dosages in India, according to industry sources.
With the current price cut – that ranges between 20-37% - Wegovy injections will cost Rs 10,850 for the lowest dose of 0.25 mg, Rs 13,850 for 0.50 mg and 1 mg and Rs 16,400 for 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, according to sources. The prices are for a month’s dose that includes four shots.
Wegovy, launched in India in June and available in five dosing strengths (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 and 2.4 mg), is currently priced between Rs 17,345 and Rs 26,050 across dosages in India.
This marks a significant move by the drug major that has been so far unable to see an uptick in the sale of its weight-loss injectable in India since its launch in June, as compared to its arch rival Mounjaro. Wegovy’s sales have stood at Rs 37 crore since its launch.
Senior doctors said that the lowered price will be more comfortable for the Indian middle class and will play an important role in increasing affordability and widening reach.
According to renowned endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi, a steep cut in the prices of Wegovy will help improve access and affordability. “But it has to be cautioned that weight loss drugs are not cosmetic medicines. It has to be prescribed to the right patients,” said Joshi. “The drug has to be prescribed by qualified physicians or endocrinologists as per label requirements,” he said.
“The plan to cut the rate has been going on for some time as they (Novo Nordisk) were not able to get an entry into the segment despite being leaders in insulin and also earlier leaders in GLP1 with Rybelsus,” said leading diabetologist Rajiv Kovil. Their pricing was higher than Mounjaro at the lower dose, and did not have a good uptick. They have been speaking to a lot of doctors and we had suggested that the barrier should be around Rs 10,000 because that is a comfortable level for Rybelsus too,” he added.
Experts expect further price cuts once generic semaglutide is launched post patent expiry in March.
Market experts noted that the price cuts in India come close following a steep cut in the prices of the weight-loss drugs in the US, pushed by the Trump administration. "A similar move may be expected from Eli Lilly," the expert added.
Rival Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which was launched in India in March, has so far garnered a sales of about Rs 450 crore and occupies the lion’s share of the India injectable GLP-1 market. Mounjaro kwikpens are available in six dosage strengths and are priced from Rs 14,000 for 2.5 mg dose, Rs 17,500 for 5 mg, Rs 22,000 for 7.5 mg and 10 mg and Rs 27,500 for 12.5 mg and 15 mg dose.
The price cut brings injectable Wegovy prices at par with oral semaglutide tablet Rybelsus which is priced lower at Rs 10,000–13,000 per month. Rybelsus, a once-a-day diabetes and weight-loss medication that was launched in India in 2022, clocked nearly Rs 400 crore in cumulative sales in the last 12 months.
“When Ozempic comes in it will be slightly lower than Wegovy,” said industry sources.
With the current price cut – that ranges between 20-37% - Wegovy injections will cost Rs 10,850 for the lowest dose of 0.25 mg, Rs 13,850 for 0.50 mg and 1 mg and Rs 16,400 for 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, according to sources. The prices are for a month’s dose that includes four shots.
Wegovy, launched in India in June and available in five dosing strengths (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 and 2.4 mg), is currently priced between Rs 17,345 and Rs 26,050 across dosages in India.
This marks a significant move by the drug major that has been so far unable to see an uptick in the sale of its weight-loss injectable in India since its launch in June, as compared to its arch rival Mounjaro. Wegovy’s sales have stood at Rs 37 crore since its launch.
Senior doctors said that the lowered price will be more comfortable for the Indian middle class and will play an important role in increasing affordability and widening reach.
According to renowned endocrinologist Dr Shashank Joshi, a steep cut in the prices of Wegovy will help improve access and affordability. “But it has to be cautioned that weight loss drugs are not cosmetic medicines. It has to be prescribed to the right patients,” said Joshi. “The drug has to be prescribed by qualified physicians or endocrinologists as per label requirements,” he said.
“The plan to cut the rate has been going on for some time as they (Novo Nordisk) were not able to get an entry into the segment despite being leaders in insulin and also earlier leaders in GLP1 with Rybelsus,” said leading diabetologist Rajiv Kovil. Their pricing was higher than Mounjaro at the lower dose, and did not have a good uptick. They have been speaking to a lot of doctors and we had suggested that the barrier should be around Rs 10,000 because that is a comfortable level for Rybelsus too,” he added.
Experts expect further price cuts once generic semaglutide is launched post patent expiry in March.
Market experts noted that the price cuts in India come close following a steep cut in the prices of the weight-loss drugs in the US, pushed by the Trump administration. "A similar move may be expected from Eli Lilly," the expert added.
Rival Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which was launched in India in March, has so far garnered a sales of about Rs 450 crore and occupies the lion’s share of the India injectable GLP-1 market. Mounjaro kwikpens are available in six dosage strengths and are priced from Rs 14,000 for 2.5 mg dose, Rs 17,500 for 5 mg, Rs 22,000 for 7.5 mg and 10 mg and Rs 27,500 for 12.5 mg and 15 mg dose.
The price cut brings injectable Wegovy prices at par with oral semaglutide tablet Rybelsus which is priced lower at Rs 10,000–13,000 per month. Rybelsus, a once-a-day diabetes and weight-loss medication that was launched in India in 2022, clocked nearly Rs 400 crore in cumulative sales in the last 12 months.
“When Ozempic comes in it will be slightly lower than Wegovy,” said industry sources.
