Novo’s Ozempic Enters Indian Market, Offering Once-a-Week Diabetes Treatment
For ages now, millions of Indians are living with type 2 diabetes, managing the symptoms with pills and insulin injections, diet, and constant monitoring. There is a shift in this routine, now. Novo Nordisk, the Danish Drugmaker, has officially launched its blockbuster diabetes medicine Ozempic in India. This is a once-a-week injection that has transformed the diabetes already in the US and Europe. This will be available here at a relatively lower cost, starting from $24 (2200 INR) per week.
The drug will be available in three different strengths, as easy-to-use pre-filled pens. The prices for each category vary. 0.25 mg would cost around ₹8,800, while 0.5 mg and 1 mg would cost ₹10,170 and ₹11,175 per month, respectively. Each pen contains four weekly doses that patients can inject under the skin.
India is the 2nd leading country with type 2 diabetes, after China. Rising obesity, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles have raised the demand for weight-loss and metabolic drugs. Doctors say all these habits have pushed younger age groups towards diabetes, and it is no longer limited to older adults. Analysts expect the segment to reach $150 billion annually by the end of the decade, turning into a serious public health concern.
In 2017, Ozempic received approval in the US and has become a global bestseller. Widely used for weight-loss, it also reduces the risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications, said Novo. Beyond blood sugar, Ozempic also keeps in check the primary outcomes of long-term diabetes. As the drug not only aims to lower blood sugar levels but also focuses on overall health, it has gained popularity among doctors. Vikrant Shrotriya, Novo Nordisk India head, claims that Ozempic helped people with diabetes lose around 8 kg; hence, this medicine is beyond just glycemic control.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient of Ozempic, a drug that mimics a natural hormone in the body. It activates the pancreas to release insulin when blood glucose levels are high. It further slows digestion and reduces appetite, which, in turn, helps with weight loss. This combination can work well for patients who struggle to control glucose levels despite standard treatment.
However, Novo and Indian regulators have certain rules that are clear. Ozempic is not a casual weight-loss drug, and cannot be used without a proper prescription. It can only be prescribed by medicine specialists and endocrinologists and is intended strictly for patients with medical needs. Shashank Joshi, consultant endocrinologist at Mumbai-based Lilavati Hospital, stressed that Ozempic should not be used for cosmetic or unsupervised weight loss.
Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, another drug approved for effective weight loss and diabetes, brings competition to Ozempic. Novo’s Wegovy, another semaglutide-based drug, was launched in India in June and has expanded its presence by cutting prices by up to 37% following the March 2026 patent expiry.
Several Indian Pharma companies like Sun Pharma, Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s, and Lupin are in the race to develop lower-cost semaglutide products of their own, which could take over the global market. Novo has strategies to establish itself well in India, even before the low-cost generics enter the market, and has planned this launch.
The arrival of Ozempic offers hope for diabetes in India, as it reduces daily treatment burden and may improve long-term outcomes. Though it is not a cure, weekly dosages and added health benefits in managing other conditions linked to diabetes could ease the lives of diabetic patients. For now, its launch marks a notable moment in the country’s evolving diabetes care story.
