Seven drug companies have launched generic cut-price semaglutide drugs in India so far, after Novo Nordisk’s patent expired in the country last Friday.
The drug companies have formulated their own GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which are being sold for up to 70-80% lower than the current price of Ozempic.
Various predictions suggest at least 40-50 brands of semaglutide will be launched in India over the next few months.
Read more: Novo drops lawsuit against Hims & Hers over compounded GLP-1s
Novo Nordisk’s patent is also set to expire this year in Canada, China and Brazil, though the patent in its biggest market, the US, is secure until 2032.
New entries
Sun Pharmaceutical, India’s biggest drug manufacturer by sales, has launched Noveltreat, an injectable GLP-1 for weight management, and Sematrinity, to treat type 2 diabetes.
According to the company, Noveltreat will cost between £7.19 and £15.98 for a week’s treatment and Sematrinity will cost between £5.99 and £10.39.
Zydus Lifesciences debuted an injectable semaglutide through three brands: Alterme, Mashema and Semaglyn.
The drug should cost around £17.59 for the month, and are injected via a reusable pen.
Read more: Novo Nordisk invests €432m in Ireland for Wegovy pill production
Glenmark has launched GLIPIQ in vial and pen formats, for between £10.39-£14.08 for a month’s treatment.
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories debuted a GLP-1 called Obeda to treat diabetes in 2 mg and 4 mg doses.
Each disposable pen should cost around £33.62 to deliver four weeks worth of treatment.
Semaglutide drugs Sembolic and Semalix were also launched by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, in oral and injectable forms.
Read more: Mounjaro maker slams ‘knock-off’ GLP-1s over ‘safety risks’
The company said the starting price for drugs would be £31.24 for a month.
Alkem Laboratories has also launched three semaglutide brands: Semasize, Obesema and Hepaglide.
The drug is available in a disposable pen with the company saying costs should start at £14.41 a month.
And Eris Life Sciences launched Sundae, which is in a vial format, and each multi-dose vial should cost £10.33.
Read more: Two deaths potentially linked to GLP-1s reported to MHRA
It comes after the FDA sent a “warning letter” to Novo Nordisk after “serious and unexpected” adverse drug experiences associated with its GLP-1 drugs were not reported properly.
An inspection of their New Jersey facility found that there were “serious violations” of “reporting requirements” related to adverse drug experiences reported to the company that were “rejected or cancelled”.
In February, Novo Nordisk announced that they were slashing prices of Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, from January 1, 2027.
The company said this decision was a part of “concerted efforts from Novo Nordisk to improve patient access to Wegovy and Ozempic”.
