India sets semaglutide quality standards after March 20 patent expiry
Big news if you follow health trends: India's setting official quality standards for semaglutide, the main ingredient in popular weight-loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Now that the global patent expired in March 2026, several Indian drugmakers, including Sun Pharma, Zydus and Dr. Reddy's, have launched cheaper versions after the patent expired on 20 March.
Guidelines to check purity and potency
These new standards mean safer drugs and less risk of fake medications, regardless of how they're made.
Regulators will use these guidelines to check purity and potency, so everyone gets the real deal.
India's weight-loss drug market is expected to hit $347 million by 2035. Prices currently range from ₹1,300 to ₹16,400 a month, so clear rules could make things cheaper and boost trust for anyone considering these treatments.