In a huge relief to more than 10 crore diabetes patients in India, the cost of Empagliflozin, an essential anti-diabetic medicine, will decrease from ₹60 to as little as ₹9 per tablet. This is because the patent on Boehringer Ingelheim's version of Empagliflozin has expired on March 11, 2025, allowing Indian pharma firms to bring their own cheap versions.From March 11, prominent Indian pharma majors like Mankind Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Lupin, Dr. Reddy's, and Alkem will launch their more affordable substitutes, making managing diabetes more reachable to millions of Indians.

Key Highlights
1. Grand Price Cut Involving Millions

• Empagliflozin was hitherto retailed at ₹60 per tablet.

• Indian companies shall now market it at as little as ₹9 per tablet—an immense price cut of 85%.

• Affordable alternatives will reduce the out-of-pocket costs of diabetic patients.

Mankind Pharma has revealed plans to offer the drug at 90% lower prices compared to the innovator brand while maintaining affordability without compromising on quality.

2. Why the Price Reduction?

• Boehringer Ingelheim's patent for Empagliflozin expired on March 11, 2025.

• This enables Indian pharma companies to produce and market the drug under their brands.

• Torrent Pharmaceuticals has already purchased three branded forms of the drug from Boehringer Ingelheim.

Mankind Pharma's cost-saving strategy:

1. Utilizes quality raw materials that are USFDA-certified

2. Produces its own Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)

3. Avoids huge costs incurred with patent-protected forms

3. Why Is Empagliflozin Important?
Empagliflozin is a very commonly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitor utilized for the management of:

• Type 2 Diabetes

• Prevention of Heart Failure

• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management

Physicians point out that Empagliflozin not only manages blood sugar but also lowers cardiovascular and kidney complication risks substantially.

4. Effect on Diabetes Treatment in India

• India has more than 10.1 crore diabetic patients, and millions cannot even afford drugs.

• In India, limited insurance cover usually compels patients to shell out cash for diabetes treatment.

• The lower price will relieve economic pressures and improve access for those who need it.

A Huge Victory for Public Health:

1. Diabetes care will be more accessible to millions.

2. Improved patient compliance since lower prices promote use of medication on a regular basis.

3. Government healthcare programs covering diabetes will make huge savings.

5. Industry Reaction and Future Perspective

• Similar Indian pharma majors such as Alkem, Dr. Reddy's, and Lupin will also launch their versions of Empagliflozin to make it widely available in India.

• With more competition, more price cuts and enhanced patient access will be seen in the next few months.

Economic Impact:

• India's diabetes medication market is poised to expand hugely as affordable medicines enhance accessibility.

• More patients will shift from conventional diabetes medicines to sophisticated SGLT2 inhibitors, enhancing the outcome of the treatment.

The steep cut in the price of Empagliflozin to a mere ₹9 per tablet is a key milestone in Indian diabetes care. With Indian manufacturers leading the way, millions of patients will soon be able to access life-saving drugs at affordable prices.
While the diabetes burden keeps mounting, this initiative raises a new standard for accessible health care, highlighting how patent losses can help the public's well-being.