Novo Nordisk has significantly lowered the prices of its popular drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in India in response to increased competition from cheaper generic versions of semaglutide that have entered the market after essential patents expired.
The company announced a 36 percent reduction in the price of the starting dose of Ozempic and a 48 percent reduction for Wegovy, effective April 1. This lowers the cost of entry-level therapy for both medications to around Rs 202 per day. Under the new pricing, the 0.25 mg starting dose will now cost Rs 1,415 per week or Rs 5,660 per month, including taxes.
This price adjustment follows the expiration of patent protection on semaglutide injections on March 20, leading to the introduction of generic versions by several Indian pharmaceutical companies at significantly lower prices, as low as Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per month in some cases, particularly through vial-based formats.
Novo Nordisk has readjusted the prices of Ozempic and Wegovy in response to the competitive pricing of generic alternatives in India, positioning its products at a premium but accessible level compared to the lower-priced generics.
The company’s decision to lower prices reflects the ongoing competition in the Indian market for diabetes and obesity treatments, where more than 40 domestic companies have entered the space in recent months.
Novo Nordisk emphasized its commitment to providing advanced cardiometabolic treatments, highlighting the clinical evidence supporting its products, extensive global exposure, manufacturing quality, and cold-chain integrity as key differentiators.
The shift in India’s pharmaceutical market showcases the impact of losing exclusivity on high-value medications, leading to intense price competition, increased access, and a reevaluation of how global pharmaceutical companies position their products in cost-sensitive markets.
This article was first published on April 1, 2026, at 16:11:21 IST.
