Weight-loss drug Wegovy starts at ₹17,345 in India
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Mumbai: Wegovy (semaglutide), the popular weight-loss drug from Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk , is priced between Rs 17,345 and Rs 26,015 across dosages in India. The company announced at its launch that the easy-to-administer once-a-weekly pen-filled injectable will have the advantage of convenient dosing.The drug will be available in five dosing strengths (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.7 and 2.4 mg) and will be prescribed for long-term chronic weight management and reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).Vikrant Shrotriya, MD, Novo Nordisk India, said obesity is a chronic disease and a national epidemic. "Wegovy is a transformative therapeutic solution with the convenience of a world-class, state-of-the-art pen device," he noted.Ambrish Mithal, chairman and head, endocrinology and diabetes, Max Healthcare , said although the price of Wegovy is not within the reach of the Indian masses, the potential for the drug is huge.Over time, he said, the cardiovascular benefit of Wegovy 2.4 mg is an important addition to the weight loss benefits. It is clinically proven to reduce cardiac events by 20%, both in people suffering from overweight/obesity with pre-existing heart disease.The drug can be prescribed for patients with BMI over 30 and those with BMI above 27 and pre-existing co-morbidities.Bariatric surgeon Mufazzal Lakdawala told ET that weight-loss drugs are proving to be the game-changers and they have just unlocked the potential for obese patients. He said the new age weight loss drugs could potentially complement bariatric surgery for patients beyond BMI of 45-50 as a weight-loss option.Compared to Wegovy, Mounjaro's 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials, which are also given on a weekly basis, are priced at Rs 14,000 to Rs 17,500 for a month's dose.
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