India’s Cheap Weight-Loss Drugs Could Reshape Global Obesity Fight
A surge in affordable weight-loss medications is poised to transform the global battle against obesity as India prepares to release low-cost generic versions of drugs like Ozempic, following a key patent expiration on Friday.
Expanding Access to Weight-Loss Treatments
The move is expected to significantly broaden access to treatments that have historically been expensive, particularly in middle-income countries where demand is high but affordability is a major barrier. Doctors across India are bracing for an increase in patients seeking these injections.
Nadeem Rais, an endocrinologist in Mumbai, anticipates a substantial rise in patients. “We have around 70 to 80 patients on active treatment right now,” he said. “When generics come out and prices drop, that could go up to 200 easily.” His colleague, Sunera Ghai, echoes this sentiment, noting that many potential patients are currently unable to afford the medications.
Patent Expiration and Generic Competition
The patent on semaglutide, the active ingredient in drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, expired in India on Friday, making it the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines. This allows domestic pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and distribute cheaper alternatives, fostering competition and driving down prices.
Investment bank Jefferies has described this as a potential “magic-pill moment” for India, predicting the semaglutide market could reach $1 billion domestically with appropriate pricing and adoption rates. Analysts anticipate around 50 branded semaglutide generics entering the market within months, mirroring the pattern seen with the diabetes drug sitagliptin in 2022, which saw approximately 30 branded versions appear within a month and nearly 100 within a year.
India’s Growing Obesity Rates and Pharmaceutical Industry
India’s pharmaceutical industry is currently valued at $60 billion and is projected to double by 2030. The country is experiencing a rise in obesity rates, with government data showing that 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese 1. This shift is linked to rising incomes and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.
While India still faces challenges with undernutrition, accounting for a third of the world’s cases according to the World Health Organization (WHO), changing lifestyles are contributing to the growing obesity problem. This economic shift has benefited pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, who have seen increased demand for weight-loss drugs.
India’s weight-loss drug sales have increased tenfold in five years, reaching $153 million in 2026, and are projected to exceed $500 million by 2030 1.
Global Impact and Accessibility
The impact of cheaper semaglutide could extend beyond India, potentially benefiting countries in Africa, where India supplies over half of the generic medicines. This could provide a lifeline for nations grappling with rising obesity rates but limited access to affordable treatment options.
Simon Barquera, president of the World Obesity Federation, stated that “Lower-cost semaglutide could significantly expand access to effective treatment, particularly in middle-income countries where price has been a major barrier.” He added that generic products are a crucial step in overcoming access barriers now that scientific advancements have been made 1.
Indian pharmaceutical firms, such as Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, are planning to launch their versions of semaglutide in other countries, including Canada, by May 2026.
Patient Perspectives
For individuals like Sukant Mangal, who lost nearly 30 pounds in eight months, increased affordability could make a significant difference. He noted that many people discontinue treatment due to the high cost, around 20,000 rupees ($214) per month for seven to eight months. “Had it been cheaper, (it) would’ve been much easier to have it.”
Citation: India to tackle global obesity with cheap fat-loss jabs (2026, March 20) retrieved 20 March 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-india-tackle-global-obesity-cheap.html
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