Weight-loss drug semaglutide set to get cheaper as generic wave builds in India

Mumbai: Prices of generic versions of semaglutide, the popular weight-loss drug, may more than halve over the next 6-8 months, thanks to the likely entry of smaller brands and an expected sharp drop in raw material costs.

The second wave of semaglutide launches could see prices hit a low of ₹500 for a month's dose, Saurabh Agarwal, director at Mumbai-based HAB Pharma told ET.

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"For a patient, who on an average earns ₹20,000 a month, spending ₹2,000 is still high," said Agarwal. "What if the cost comes down to ₹500," he said, backing his claim on expectations that semaglutide API prices will drop further, adding to a sharp decline in the past two years.

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) prices have slipped to about a tenth of the levels seen in 2024. From around $1,000 per gram two years ago, it is currently priced at $125 per gram. "Semaglutide is here to stay," said Agarwal, emphasising that it is seen by doctors as a 'statin moment' in diabetes and obesity category, referring to the mass use of the cholesterol-buster for heart patients.

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Experts say the current device ecosystem is led by a few established players who can command a significant premium. However, this is expected to change rapidly as multiple new vendors enter the development pipeline, including Chinese manufacturers that are progressing through the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) registration process.