Rs 450 to Rs 4,200: Drugmakers rush in to win the business of losing weight India’s obesity drug market is experiencing rapid expansion as pharmaceutical companies compete to capture a growing segment of the healthcare industry. With rising obesity rates and diabetes prevalence, drugmakers are adjusting pricing strategies and launching generic alternatives to meet demand. Analysts predict the market could grow from approximately Rs 1,500 crore today to Rs 8,000 crore by 2030, driven by both brand-name and generic drugmakers entering the space. Novo Nordisk, a leading player in the weight-loss drug market, recently reduced the price of its Wegovy in India by up to 37%, pricing the lowest dose at Rs 10,850 per month. It also introduced Ozempic at Rs 8,800 per month for the 0.25 mg dose. These price cuts have made the drugs more accessible, but experts warn that the influx of generic options could lead to confusion among prescribers and potential misuse. Over 40 Indian pharmaceutical companies are expected to launch more than 50 brands within weeks, according to Reuters. This surge in competition is aimed at addressing the needs of a population projected to have over 440 million overweight or obese adults by 2050. India, the world’s most populous nation, already has the second-highest number of adults with diabetes after China, according to The Lancet and the International Diabetes Federation. The pricing of weight-loss drugs in India varies significantly, with some generics available for as low as Rs 450 per week. A table detailing the prices of major drugs shows: Alkem Labs offers an injection at Rs 450 weekly or Rs 1,800 monthly. Sun Pharma’s injection ranges from Rs 750–900 weekly. Dr. Reddy’s provides the highest monthly price at Rs 4,200 for its injection.#novonordisk #ozempic #wegovy #sun_pharma #alkem_labs
India's Cheap Weight-Loss Drugs Could Reshape Global Obesity Fight India could soon get a lot thinner—at least in theory. On Friday, the patent on semaglutide, the molecule behind Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, expires in the country. This will allow domestic pharmaceutical companies to release cheaper copies or generics, triggering a rush of competition that could slash prices by more than half and rapidly expand access for people in India, and eventually in other countries too. Investment bank Jefferies has called it a potential "magic-pill moment" for India, predicting the semaglutide market could eventually reach $1bn domestically with the right pricing and uptake. Analysts expect around 50 branded semaglutide generics to enter the market within months—a familiar pattern in India's fiercely competitive pharmaceutical industry. When the diabetes drug sitagliptin went off patent in 2022, about 30 branded versions appeared within a month and nearly 100 within a year. India's pharmaceutical industry, currently worth about $60bn, is expected to double by 2030. Much of it is built on generics—a manufacturing muscle that now sets the stage for fierce competition over semaglutide. What has until now been an expensive injection largely confined to affluent patients could soon become far more common. Originally developed to treat diabetes, these drugs are now being hailed as game changers for weight loss, offering results that few previous treatments could match. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. By boosting insulin release and slowing the emptying of the stomach, the drugs make people feel full sooner and stay full longer.#india #novonordisk #semaglutide #jefferies #cipla
Novo Nordisk's U.S. headquarters faces FDA scrutiny in latest regulatory action Novo Nordisk’s U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, New Jersey, has been issued a formal FDA warning letter following an inspection that uncovered compliance issues related to postmarketing adverse drug experience (PADE) reporting. The agency’s findings, detailed in the letter, highlight gaps in the company’s procedures for tracking and reporting side effects of its medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy. Novo acknowledged the letter in a public statement, emphasizing its commitment to addressing the concerns and resolving the issues with the FDA. The FDA’s inspection of the Plainsboro site, which serves as Novo’s U.S. operations hub, took place from January 13 to February 7, 2025, as part of a review of the company’s adherence to PADE regulations. During the inspection, the agency identified multiple shortcomings in Novo’s processes for monitoring and reporting adverse events. These included delays in submitting reports to the FDA, the ability to reject or cancel received reports, and insufficient medical review timelines for evaluating adverse events. The FDA also criticized Novo for failing to thoroughly investigate the root causes of these issues, raising concerns about the company’s ability to ensure product safety. In response, Novo stated it has implemented corrective and preventive action plans and has submitted seven updates to the FDA since the initial Form 483 notice was issued on February 7, 2025. The company argued that the warning letter primarily seeks additional details to confirm its compliance efforts and does not reflect any assessment of the quality or safety of its drugs. Anna Windle, head of clinical development at Novo Nordisk U.S.#fda #novonordisk #ozempic #wegovy #plainsboro_new_jersey
FDA Warns Novo Nordisk of Unreported GLP-1 Side Effects The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sent a warning letter to Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company that produces the weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, accusing the firm of failing to report potential side effects linked to its medications. The agency highlighted three patient deaths associated with the drugs, including one case involving a suicide, and stated that Novo Nordisk did not disclose these incidents within the required timeframe. The FDA also criticized the company for not conducting a thorough investigation into the suicide and for not reporting the event to the agency. The warning letter, dated March 11, 2026, underscores concerns about the safety profile of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. While these medications have been widely prescribed for their effectiveness in weight management, the FDA’s actions highlight growing scrutiny over their long-term risks. The agency emphasized that Novo Nordisk’s failure to comply with reporting requirements could jeopardize patient safety and regulatory oversight. The deaths cited in the warning include a patient who died by suicide, though the FDA did not specify the exact circumstances of the incident. The agency’s statement suggests that the company’s lack of transparency may have contributed to a delayed response to potential safety issues. This comes amid ongoing debates about the broader use of GLP-1 drugs, which have faced criticism for their high cost and potential side effects, including gastrointestinal distress, cardiovascular risks, and mental health concerns. Novo Nordisk, a global leader in diabetes care, has faced increasing pressure from regulators and healthcare professionals to address safety concerns.#fda #novonordisk #ozempic #wegovy #glp_1_receptor_agonists
Hims & Hers Surges on Novo Obesity Deal That Ends Public Feud Hims & Hers Health Inc. saw its stock price rise sharply after Novo Nordisk A/S agreed to end its public dispute with the company through a new partnership. The deal involves Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss medications being sold on the Hims platform, marking a resolution to their ongoing conflict. According to a source familiar with the matter, the two companies plan to formally announce the partnership on Monday. This agreement follows a similar deal from last year, which Novo abruptly canceled after Hims continued marketing and selling generic versions of Novo’s drugs. The feud had drawn significant attention, with both companies accusing each other of unfair practices. The new partnership is expected to address these tensions by allowing Novo to distribute its obesity treatments through Hims’s digital health platform. This move could expand access to weight-loss medications for patients while providing Hims with additional revenue streams. Analysts suggest the deal reflects a broader trend of pharmaceutical companies seeking to leverage digital health platforms to reach consumers directly. The resolution of the public feud has also bolstered investor confidence in Hims & Hers, contributing to its stock surge. The company has long positioned itself as a leader in the digital wellness space, offering products ranging from hair loss treatments to sexual health solutions. With the addition of Novo’s obesity drugs, Hims aims to strengthen its portfolio and compete more effectively in the crowded health tech market. The partnership underscores the growing importance of digital platforms in healthcare, as companies seek to bypass traditional distribution channels and engage consumers directly.#hims_hers #novonordisk #hims_hers_health_inc #hims #novonordisk_as
Novo Nordisk ends legal proceedings against Hims & Hers Hims & Hers shares surged after Novo Nordisk announced it would drop its patent infringement lawsuit against the telehealth provider. The decision followed an agreement between the two companies, which includes Hims offering Novo’s branded weight-loss drugs at the same price as other telehealth platforms and ceasing to advertise compounded GLP-1 drugs. Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar stated the legal case would be dropped, though the company reserved the right to revisit it if necessary. The agreement also involves Hims selling injectable and oral semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, through its platform at prices comparable to other telehealth services. Hims will no longer promote compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs, which are unapproved by the FDA. The move comes after Novo accused Hims of selling counterfeit versions of Wegovy at a significantly lower price, which sparked backlash from both the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hims’ shares rose over 40% in early trading, while Novo’s stock gained 2.1%. The FDA’s commissioner, Marty Makary, praised the agreement, emphasizing that Hims will provide affordable, FDA-approved medications and limit compounded drugs to rare cases. Makary noted that Hims’ shift away from unapproved compounded products aligns with regulatory efforts to curb illegal compounding practices. The dispute began in February when Novo sued Hims for selling a copycat version of Wegovy at $49, far below the branded price. Hims quickly halted the sale after pressure from Novo and the FDA, which warned of potential legal violations. The FDA has since pledged to take action against compounding pharmacies and referred Hims to the Department of Justice for further review.#hims_hers #novonordisk #marty_makary #semaglutide #zepbound
