Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 16, 2026 53 minutes ago
Pharma News: India is on the verge of a major transformation in obesity and diabetes treatment as generic semaglutide prices are expected to collapse over the next six to eight months. Industry experts predict that intensifying competition among pharmaceutical manufacturers and rapidly falling raw material costs could reduce monthly semaglutide therapy expenses to as little as US$6.
Generic semaglutide prices in India may soon plunge to just US$6 monthly as competition and collapsing API costs
transform obesity treatment access
Semaglutide, the active compound used in globally popular drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, has become one of the most in-demand medications worldwide due to its ability to promote significant weight loss while also improving blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Following the expiration of important patents in India earlier this year, domestic pharmaceutical companies have moved aggressively to introduce low-cost generic versions.
API Prices Witness Massive Collapse
Industry insiders revealed that active pharmaceutical ingredient prices for semaglutide have dropped dramatically during the past two years. API prices that previously stood at nearly US$1,000 per gram in 2024 have now plunged to approximately US$125 per gram. Reports also indicate that synthetic semaglutide variants are now available at prices between US$90 and US$160 per gram, while recombinant versions have declined to almost US$50 per gram.
Saurabh Agarwal, director of Mumbai-based HAB Pharma, stated that the second wave of generic semaglutide launches could radically change the affordability of obesity treatment in India. According to Agarwal, many patients earning an average monthly salary of about US$240 still find current treatment costs of around US$24 per month unaffordable. However, if prices fall to approximately US$6 monthly, access to treatment could expand enormously among middle-income and lower-income groups.
Chinese Competition Accelerates Global Price Drop
Industry executives believe API prices may decline by another 20 to 30 percent in the near future as manufacturing capacity continues to expand globally. Chinese manufacturers are reportedly increasing production at a rapid pace, creating oversupply conditions that are pushing semaglutide prices downward across international markets.
At the same time, experts noted that semaglutide injection delivery devices are currently dominated by a handful of established companies charging premium prices. However, that market could soon become more competitive as additional manufacturers move through the Drugs Controller General of India approval process.
Several Indian pharmaceutical giants including Sun Pharma, Dr Reddys Laboratories, Zydus Lifesciences, Lupin and Torrent Pharmaceuticals are preparing or already launching generic semaglutide products.
This
Pharma News report highlights that many doctors now view semaglutide as a revolutionary long-term therapy for obesity and diabetes, comparable to the
widespread adoption of statins for cardiovascular disease decades ago. If current pricing trends continue, millions of patients in India could soon gain affordable access to advanced metabolic treatments, potentially reshaping healthcare outcomes for obesity, diabetes and related chronic illnesses across the country.
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