Amid the onslaught of copycat drugs in the world’s third most overweight population, Novo Nordisk AS has cut the prices of its blockbuster weight loss drugs Ozempic and Vegovy in India.
Ozempic and Vegovy’s lowest dosage of 0.25 mg will now cost in India ₹Rs 1,415 for a weekly shot ₹2,200 more ₹respectively, 2,712 earlier, the India unit of the Denmark-based drugmaker said on Tuesday (March 31, 2026). The new price, effective from April 1, brings the monthly cost of both the drugs to the lowest ₹from roughly 5,660 ₹10-12,000.
The cut comes 11 days after the Indian patent for semaglutide, an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in weight loss drugs, expired in India. This paved the way for brands like Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. to launch generic versions of blockbuster weight loss drugs at up to 70% discount.
Certainly, Ozempic and Vegovi for type 2 diabetes have the side effect of weight loss if combined with diet and exercise.
protect market share
Obesity is a rapidly growing health crisis in India, with NFHS-5 (2019-21) data showing that 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese. By lowering prices, Novo Nordisk is attempting to retain patients who might otherwise migrate to local options.
“By revising the price of our innovative treatments, we are trying to make best-in-class cardio-metabolic care more affordable for as many people as possible,” said Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India Pvt Ltd. Ltd. “India has a high burden of diabetes, obesity and related complications, and we aim to bend the curve.”
The price reduction is divided into different dosage strengths:
- Ozempic: Price of 1 mg weekly shot now fixed ₹2,275, down 18.5%.
- Wegovy: A 41.5% reduction was seen in the 0.5 mg dose ₹2,025, while the 1 mg shot fell 34.2% ₹2,275.
- Ozempic and Vegovy (0.25 mg) will now cost both ₹1,415 per weekly injection, lower than previous level ₹2,200 more ₹2,712.
common assault
While Novo Nordisk says its products are backed by “strong clinical evidence and high scientific standards”, local manufacturers are relying on their large distribution networks and low-cost manufacturing to win over the middle class.
Competition is not just coming from local generics. US rival Eli Lilly & Co has also been aggressive in the sector. Its blockbuster drug Monzaro became India’s best-selling drug by value within months of its launch last year, according to data from research firm Pharmarack.
Industry analysts suggest that Novo Nordisk’s brand loyalty may be its strongest suit. “This price reduction demonstrates how innovation can become more accessible as market dynamics evolve,” bariatric surgeon Venu Gopal Pareek told Reuters. He cited Novo Nordisk’s long-term safety data, saying that if the price difference remains within a 15% margin, many patients may still prefer the original molecule over the generic.
strategic pivot
Certainly, this is the second time in a year that Novo Nordisk has cut the prices of Ozempic and Vegovi in India. Last year, the company cut Wegovi’s price by 37% in anticipation of the patent cliff.
The move highlights a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry where “Big Pharma” is forced to trade margins for volume in emerging markets. With obesity rates rising in India and its diabetes population exceeding 100 million, the volume play remains the only viable path to long-term dominance.
Read this also Generic Ozempic is a gamechanger for India, China
From April 1, the effective daily cost of these life-changing treatments will be ~ ₹202—a price point Novo Nordisk hopes is low enough to keep the general tide at bay while maintaining its hold in one of the world’s most lucrative healthcare sectors.
