By Novo Nordisk has cut the price of its blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy by up to 33% in India, a Reuters report said on Tuesday.
The move aimed at expanding access and defending market share amid fierce competition and looming generic threats.
As per the report, Wegovy’s top dose of 2.4 mg will now be priced at 16,400 rupees, down from about 24,389 rupees earlier.
The lowest dose of 0.25 mg will sell for 10,850 rupees, compared with its previous price of around 16,261 rupees.
Launched just five months ago, the drug faces strong pressure from rival Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, which dominates India’s rapidly growing obesity treatment market.
Novo Nordisk slashes Wegovy prices in India: 5 key points
1. Strategic price reduction to boost affordability: Novo Nordisk has reduced prices across multiple Wegovy dosages to make the drug more accessible.
While the initial monthly price of the 2.4 mg dose stood at ₹26,015, newer pricing for some doses has dropped by up to 33%, targeting middle and lower-income consumers struggling to afford the treatment.
2. Competitive pressure from Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro: Mounjaro, launched earlier in March 2025, controls major part of the Indian weight-loss drug market by volume, leaving Wegovy a distant second.
Mounjaro’s superior clinical efficacy and early market entry have contributed to its rapid sales growth, pressuring Novo Nordisk to adjust its pricing strategy.
3. Imminent generic competition: The semaglutide molecule in Wegovy is nearing patent expiry in India, expected in early 2026.
Several Indian pharmaceutical companies are preparing to launch generic versions at significantly lower prices, potentially 50-90% cheaper than branded drugs.
This threat has pushed Novo Nordisk to cut prices now to capture market share before generics flood the market.
4. Partnership with Emcure Pharma: To expand distribution and market reach, Novo Nordisk partnered with Indian company Emcure Pharma to launch Poviztra, a semaglutide-based weight-loss drug under a separate brand.
This collaboration aims to improve drug availability, especially in markets where Novo Nordisk’s direct presence is limited.
5. India’s massive obesity market opportunity: India faces a serious obesity crisis with millions affected by overall and abdominal obesity, fueling demand for effective treatments.
Despite the price cuts, Wegovy will remain a premium product given treatment costs, but the move aims to broaden access in a market expected to reach ₹25,000 crore by 2030.
India’s weight loss war heats up
India’s weight loss drug market is heating up fast.
A new wave of treatments called GLP1 drugs is shaking things up, promising long-term results that go way beyond the usual diet and gym routine.
Global giants Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are leading the charge, both bringing their blockbuster drugs to India in 2025.
The competition is already getting intense, and Mounjaro from Eli Lilly has taken an early lead thanks to stronger results and a quicker launch. In a market like this, timing and trust matter more than ever.
But there’s one big problem: price. These new weight loss injections are life-changing for many, but they’re also far too expensive for most Indian consumers.
That’s where Novo Nordisk’s latest move comes in. The company has cut prices on its popular Wegovy injection, hoping to make it more affordable and stay ahead in the race.
It’s a smart move and a sign of what’s coming next. As patents expire and generic versions enter the market, big drugmakers will have to rethink their pricing or risk losing ground.
Novo Nordisk is also partnering with Emcure Pharma, a local company, to strengthen its reach and connect with more patients.
That kind of partnership could be key to staying competitive in a fast-changing market.
With obesity rates rising and health awareness growing, India’s weight loss market is only going to get bigger.
And now that prices are starting to fall, the real battle for market share is just beginning.
The post Why Novo Nordisk slashed prices of its weight-loss drug in India: 5 key points appeared first on Invezz
