Ozempic Launches in India: Novo Nordisk's Diabetes and Weight Loss Drug Enters World's Second-Largest Diabetes Market

Pens for the diabetes drug Ozempic are positioned on a production line awaiting packaging at Novo Nordisk's manufacturing facility.

On December 12, Novo Nordisk officially introduced Ozempic to the Indian market, establishing a weekly price of $24.35 for the 0.25 mg dose. The company is targeting India's expanding diabetes and obesity market, which is projected to drive significant industry growth through the decade.

Ozempic will be available in pen format with three dosage options: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg, according to Novo Nordisk. The monthly pricing structure is set at Rs 8,800 for 0.25 mg, Rs 10,170 for 0.5 mg, and Rs 11,175 for 1 mg, with each pen providing four weekly doses.

"The price will establish a benchmark for generic versions expected to launch next quarter... We anticipate approximately 50% discount compared to Novo's pricing," stated Vishal Manchanda, an analyst at Systematix Institutional Equities.

India has the second-largest population of type 2 diabetes patients globally, behind only China, along with increasing obesity rates, making it a crucial market for weight-loss and metabolic medications. Industry analysts project this segment could reach $150 billion in annual value by the end of the decade.

Originally approved in the United States in 2017 for type 2 diabetes management, Ozempic has become a global bestseller and is widely utilized off-label for weight loss purposes. Novo Nordisk notes that the medication also reduces cardiovascular event risks and kidney complications.

The medication can only be prescribed by endocrinologists or internal medicine specialists and is not intended for cosmetic applications, emphasized Shashank Joshi, consultant endocrinologist at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital.

"Ozempic also facilitates weight loss of up to 8 kilograms in diabetes patients... This medication therefore offers benefits beyond glycemic control," explained Vikrant Shrotriya, head of Novo Nordisk India.

Novo Nordisk faces competition from Eli Lilly, whose product Mounjaro is approved for both diabetes treatment and weight loss, while Novo's Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide, was launched in India this June. Last month, Novo reduced Wegovy's price by up to 37% in anticipation of semaglutide's patent expiration in March 2026.

"After just a couple of months, we recognized that to improve accessibility, a price reduction was necessary," Shrotriya acknowledged.

Indian pharmaceutical companies including Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr. Reddy's, and Lupin are actively developing generic versions of semaglutide.

As previously reported by Reuters, Novo Nordisk had planned this December launch of Ozempic to secure market position before more affordable domestic alternatives become available.