March 31 (Reuters) – Novo Nordisk on Tuesday cut the prices of its diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy by as much as 36% and 48% in India, its second such move, to fend off competition from local drugmakers’ cheaper generics.
Ozempic’s and Wegovy’s lowest doses of 0.25 mg in India will now be priced at 1,415 rupees ($15.04) for a weekly shot from 2,200 rupees and 2,712 rupees earlier, respectively, Novo Nordisk said in a statement.
The average price reduction across doses is 23.8% for Ozempic and 27% for Wegovy.
Ozempic is available in three dose strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg in India, while Wegovy has five dose strengths.
India’s market for diabetes and weight-loss drugs is set for a shake-up after the Danish drugmaker’s patent on Semaglutide, the active component in Ozempic and Wegovy, expired on March 20.
At least half a dozen Indian drugmakers, including Dr Reddy’s, Zydus and Sun Pharma, launched multiple brands of the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss drugs, up to 70% cheaper than Novo’s drugs in some cases.
Last year, Novo slashed Wegovy’s price for the first time by up to 37% from its launch price, anticipating stiff competition from local drugmakers.
($1 = 93.9890 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Rishika Sadam and Yagnoseni Das in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath and Janane Venkatraman)
