Drugmakers Natco Pharma, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and Eris Lifesciences are poised to launch their generic version of semaglutide for diabetes Type II, Saturday – priced over 80 per cent less than the innovator Ozempic from Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk.
Saturday is Day 1 after a patent on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy (Novo’s product for obesity), expired in India, among other countries.
And it will see Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Zydus Lifesciences, Sun Pharma and Alkem unveil their generic versions of semaglutide. Industry expects about 50 branded generic versions to launch at low prices – a development that has doctors caution against possible indiscriminate use.
Diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil with Zandra Healthcare told businessline, patient-selection is critical to ensure they can tolerate the product; besides checking for eye-related issues, pancreatitis, and their family history of thyroid cancer.
The vial format provides doctors flexibility in dosing, he explained, adding that micro-dosing by patients would require education and hand-holding to prevent errors.
Generic prices
Natco priced its semaglutide in multi-dose vials at ₹1,290 per month for 2 mg/1.5ml and 4mg/3ml, and ₹1,750 for 8mg/3ml.
The pen device, slated for launch in April, is priced at ₹4,000, ₹4,200 and ₹4,500 per month for the strengths 2mg/1.5ml, 4mg/3ml and 8mg/3ml respectively, it said.
Natco has a pact with Eris Lifesciences that has also announced similar pricing and timeline for its 2 mg/1.5ml and 4mg/3ml vials, and pens, respectively.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals’ generic semaglutide would be available in vials with dose-specific syringes, besides the pre-filled pen. The expected weekly cost with the vials range from Rs 325 (about Rs 1300 a month) to Rs 440, Glenmark said.
Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic is priced in India between ₹8,800 and ₹11,175, in the pen format.
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Published on March 21, 2026