Patent Expiry for Semaglutide in India Opens Door for Cheaper Generic Versions of Weight-Loss Drug

New Delhi. The patent for 'Semaglutide,' a drug considered highly effective in controlling obesity and diabetes in India, known as the pharmacy of the world, expired on Friday. With the patent held by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk now lifted, the path has opened for Indian pharmaceutical companies to launch cheaper copies, or generic versions, of this drug into the market.

This is projected to cause the price of the currently very expensive weight-loss drug to drop by more than half, not just in India but eventually in the global market as well. Investment bank Jefferies has termed this a 'Magic Pill Movement' for India, which will bring the drug within reach of millions suffering from obesity.

The monthly cost of branded drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy currently available in the market ranges from approximately 8,800 to 16,000 Indian Rupees. It is estimated that once Indian generic companies enter the field, this cost will drop to the range of 3,000 to 5,000 Rupees per month.

India's major drug manufacturers such as Cipla, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Biocon, and Zydus are ready to launch their own branded generic versions of the drug into the market. Previously, when the patent for the diabetes drug Sitagliptin expired in 2022, 30 new brands entered the market within a month; similar competition is certain to be seen this time around.

Currently, more than 77 million people in India suffer from Type-2 diabetes, and the problem of obesity is also becoming severe due to urban lifestyles and dietary habits. This new drug controls the hormone that stimulates hunger in the body, making people feel full sooner, which facilitates weight loss.

Cardiologists, orthopedicians, and pulmonologists have also begun to consider this drug an infallible weapon for reducing patient weight before surgery. Given that India currently supplies 20 percent of the world's generic drugs, the export potential for this cheaper weight-loss drug is also expected to be worth billions of dollars.

However, along with lower prices and easier access, doctors have warned about the potential for misuse. Serious problems such as nausea, vomiting, gallstones, or pancreatitis can occur if this drug is used without a doctor's consultation, based on advice from gym trainers, beauty clinics, or social media reels.

Many patients view it merely as a shortcut, but experts state that the drug alone will not provide long-term benefits without proper exercise and a protein-rich diet. The Indian drug regulatory body has also directed companies not to advertise such drugs directly to consumers and to maintain strict monitoring.

While cheaper drugs will increase access, their quality and responsible use will be the main challenge in the coming days.

BBC