GENERIC OZEMPIC TO COST SH1800 AS NOVO NORDISK PATENT EXPIRES

The popular weight loss drug sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy is set to become available in generic form across several countries that together account for 40 percent of the global population. 

This move is expected to dramatically reduce the cost of a medication that has so far been accessible mainly to the wealthy. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company that currently holds exclusive rights to sell the drug, will see itspatent expire in some of the most populous nations. 

Generic versions are anticipated to launch in India as early as this weekend, with additional rollouts expected in China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa in the coming months. Activists and public health advocates have welcomed the development, noting that the drug has largely been confined to high-income nations. The availability of generics is expected to broaden access significantly.

India and China alone have more than 800 million adults who are overweight or living with obesity, alongside over 360 million adults with diabetes. The drug, known scientifically as semaglutide, is used to treat diabetes under the Ozempic brand and obesity under the Wegovy brand. Novo Nordisk has dominated the global market, but access has remained limited due to high costs. 

Generics are expected to change that, potentially increasing the number of patients who can benefit from the drug, which has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In the United States and Europe, generic versions are not expected until the early 2030s due to extended regulatory protections designed to reward innovation.

Numerous generic drug manufacturers have been preparing to enter the market, seeking approvals and building up supply. Demand is expected to be high among patients who could not previously afford the brand-name version. Manufacturers have not yet announced pricing. Industry analysts suggest that as competition increases, prices could eventually fall to around $15 per month. In contrast, higher doses of Wegovy can cost $349 per month in the United States for those paying without insurance.

The drug is available in five dose levels, with higher doses costing more. Patients usually begin with a lower dose and gradually increase over time. While the drug has shown significant benefits, it is not without side effects. Some users experience nausea, vomiting, and constipation, though severe reactions are uncommon.