You can now buy weight-loss wonder drug Ozempic in India
What's the story
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched its blockbuster diabetes drug, Ozempic, in India. The move comes after the company got Indian regulatory approval last month to import and sell the medication. The launch is part of Novo Nordisk's strategy to strengthen its foothold in India, which has a high demand for diabetes and weight-loss treatments.
Cost
Pricing and availability
In India, the drug is available in three strengths: 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg. The price of the lowest 0.25mg dose is ₹2,200 per week, or ₹8,800 per month. The 0.5mg dose costs ₹10,170 per month, while the highest 1mg dose is priced at ₹11,175/month.
Drug details
Ozempic's journey and off-label use
Ozempic is a once-weekly injectable drug that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 for type 2 diabetes. It has since become a global bestseller. Although it is officially approved for diabetes treatment, the drug is also widely used off-label for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effects.
Market potential
India: A key market for global drugmakers
India has the second-largest population of people with type 2 diabetes after China. The country also has rapidly growing obesity rates, making it a key market for global pharmaceutical companies. Analysts cited by Reuters estimate that the global weight-loss drug market could be worth as much as $150 billion annually by the end of this decade.
Additional product
Wegovy: Novo Nordisk's weight-loss specific drug
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient semaglutide as Ozempic, is specifically approved for weight loss. The launch of Ozempic in India highlights the country's growing importance in the global pharmaceutical market and its potential to become a major player in the weight-loss drug industry.