After the patent expiry of Empagliflozin in March 2025, India's pharma market has seen a sudden increase in the availability of generic forms of the Type 2 diabetes medication. The number of brands available in the market has almost doubled within a month, indicating a new age of affordability and accessibility for diabetic patients nationwide.

Key Highlights

Explosive market growth after patent expiry

• The number of Empagliflozin brands increased from 86 in March to 147 in April, with 37 firms now selling the drug.

• This is compared to just 19 firms selling the drug before patent expiry (PharmaTrac data).

Price reduction and greater access

• Prices have come down by 80–90%, with firms such as Alkem, Glenmark, and Mankind selling tablets at ₹25 per unit.

• The steep cut in price has brought the medicine within reach for a larger segment of India's diabetic population.

Change in diabetes treatment scenario

• Empagliflozin is an SGLT-2 inhibitor that not only enhances glucose control but also provides cardio-renal protection.

• Experts opine that increased generic availability is fuelling adoption—much like what has been the case with post-patent dapagliflozin.

Expert opinions on affordability and influence

• "Earlier, it was only 2–5% of Indian diabetics who could afford such medicines. Now, they are accessible to the whole diabetic population," stated Dr. David Chandy, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.

• Sheetal Sapale, VP, PharmaTrac, pointed out that "almost every player in the IPM is capitalising on the Empagliflozin opportunity."

Market size and future outlook

• The Empagliflozin market stands at ₹745 crore.

• Plain Empagliflozin and its combination with Linagliptin account for 80% of market value.

• Experts expect a significant change in diabetes treatment once Semaglutide also expires later this year.

With the boom in generic Empagliflozin brands, India's diabetic patients now have better access to modern, effective treatments at a fraction of earlier costs. The trend mirrors the wider shift in chronic disease treatment, fueled by patent expiries and competitive branded generics.