A major price shake-up is starting in the global weight-loss drug market. At least a dozen large drugmakers are preparing to launch generic versions of semaglutide in India after patent protection expired on Friday, 20 March 2026. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, two of the world’s best-known GLP-1 medicines.

Natco Pharma plans to launch a semaglutide injection from 1 290 rupees a month, which works out to about R235. A pen device is expected by April at about 4 500 rupees, or just over R800 a month.

Prices Could Fall Sharply

That is a massive gap compared with current branded prices. Wegovy pens start at about 10 480 rupees in India, or nearly R1 900 a month. In South Africa, Wegovy costs at least R3 700 per month depending on dosage, while Ozempic sells for about R2 800 per month.

Other generic drugmakers are also expected to enter the market aggressively. Some firms are likely to price the starting dose between 3 000 rupees and 5 000 rupees, roughly R540 to R900 a month.

India Becomes the Key Test Market

Canada lost semaglutide patent protection in January, but no generic versions have yet been approved there. That makes India the first major market likely to see a wave of copycat semaglutide products. Analysts say India could become an important case study as Novo Nordisk faces similar patent expiries in markets including China, Brazil and Turkey.

Around 42 drugmakers could launch products under more than 50 brand names this year.

More Options for Patients

The competition will not only be about price. Drugmakers are testing different delivery formats, including pre-filled syringes, single-shot pens, vials and reusable pens with adjustable doses. These options aim to give patients more flexibility, lower costs and make anti-obesity treatment easier to use.

For South Africans watching the soaring cost of GLP-1 treatment, the Indian rollout could offer an early glimpse of what a cheaper generic era may look like.