Source The Indian Express
NEW DELHI—Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has officially launched its globally renowned type 2 diabetes treatment, Ozempic (semaglutide injection), in the Indian market, marking a major expansion in the country’s fast-growing metabolic health segment.
The once-weekly injectable, which has garnered international attention for its efficacy in controlling blood sugar and supporting significant weight loss in diabetic patients, is now available across India.
Affordable Starting Price and Dosage
Novo Nordisk has set the initial pricing for Ozempic, with the lowest dosage starting at ₹2,200 per week.
Starting Dose: The initial dose of 0.25 mg is priced at ₹2,200 per week (translating to approximately ₹8,800 per month).
Step-Up Doses: The drug is available in three strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg. The higher doses are priced at ₹2,542 and ₹2,793 per week, respectively.
Each pack contains a single-use, pre-filled pen with four once-weekly doses, designed for ease of use. The company stated that this market-specific pricing is an effort to “address the issue of the drug’s affordability” for Indian patients.
“Bringing Ozempic to India is a major milestone for chronic disease care,” said Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India. “We are committed to providing patients with an innovative and accessible therapy that delivers improved glycaemic control, meaningful weight management, and long-term heart and kidney protection.”
Indication and Market Context
Ozempic is approved in India as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults with uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). While its primary indication is diabetes management, the active ingredient, semaglutide, is known for its beneficial effects on weight reduction, which is a common comorbidity among diabetic patients.
The launch completes Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide portfolio in India, which also includes the oral formulation Rybelsus and the higher-dose, weight-loss-specific injectable Wegovy. The introduction of Ozempic is expected to intensify competition in the Indian GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) market, which is also contested by Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.
India is a critical market for these drugs, home to the world’s second-highest number of people living with type 2 diabetes and rapidly rising rates of obesity. Medical experts caution that while Ozempic is a powerful tool, it should be prescribed judiciously by endocrinologists or internal medicine specialists and is not intended for cosmetic use.
