Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk is gearing up to launch its much-anticipated anti-diabetes and weight-loss injection Wegovy (semaglutide) in India. The company is expected to introduce the product in the next few months, racing against rival Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, which has already seen early traction in the Indian market.

Key Highlights

Competitive Launch On The Horizon

• Wegovy is likely to hit Indian shelves within a few months at a competitive price.

• The urgency stems from rising competition and the drug’s looming patent expiry early next year.

Regulatory Clearance In Progress

• India’s central drug authority has approved the cardiovascular claims of Wegovy for Indian patients.

• Cardiologists will now be permitted to prescribe Wegovy, in addition to endocrinologists and internal medicine experts.

• Final clearance from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is awaited.

Strategic Move To Outpace Mounjaro

• The approval for cardiovascular benefits could help Novo Nordisk gain an edge in the obesity drug market.

• Industry experts believe this label expansion gives the company a competitive upper hand.

Affordability Still A Challenge

• Medical experts caution that unless the price is brought down, Wegovy may remain accessible only to a limited patient segment.

• “These designer medicines won’t go mass-market unless costs come down,” said Dr. Nishith Chandra, Fortis Escorts.

Past Approvals But No Launch Yet

• Although approved for diabetes and weight loss earlier, Wegovy’s Indian launch was delayed due to global supply issues.

• Novo Nordisk instead launched Rybelsus, an oral version of semaglutide, in India in 2022.

Statements from Leaders or Officials
Dr. Nishith Chandra, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts:
“Unless these firms bring down the cost of these designer medicines, they will not be popular among masses. They will be restricted to a very few patients.”As India braces for a surge in obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, the entry of Wegovy adds to the expanding arsenal of advanced treatment options. But for it to make a real difference in public health outcomes, pricing will be the deciding factor.