Novo Nordisk's Wegovy debuts in India: How it works, who it's for, and how much it costs
In a major development for India's fast-growing anti-obesity drug market, Novo Nordisk on Tuesday officially launched Wegovy, its highly anticipated weight-loss medication, marking a direct challenge to Eli Lilly's already available Mounjaro.
Wegovy will be rolled out as a once-weekly injectable, delivered via a FlexTouch pen-like device—a user-friendly, self-administered format that eliminates the need for vials or syringes. The drug is expected to be available in Indian pharmacies by the end of June 2025, according to Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India.
A market ripe for disruption
Novo Nordisk is betting big on India, where nearly 254 million people live with generalized obesity and 351 million with abdominal obesity.
The Danish pharma giant sees India as a key market for future sales, aiming to capture a large share of the country's ₹576 crore anti-obesity drug market, which has quadrupled from ₹133 crore in 2021, according to PharmaTrac.
'Obesity is not just a personal health concern — it is a chronic disease and a national epidemic that India cannot afford to ignore,' said Shrotriya. 'We are bringing Wegovy with the convenience of a world-class, state-of-the-art pen device, and an India-specific price.'
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How Wegovy works: Science behind the shot
Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which mimics a natural hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar, reducing appetite, delaying gastric emptying, and improving satiety. While related drugs like Ozempic are used primarily for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is specifically approved for chronic weight management in cases of morbid obesity.
The FlexTouch device allows patients to dial in their weekly dose, with four needles included in each monthly pack.
The drug works on key centers of the brain that regulate hunger and food cravings, promoting weight loss while offering additional metabolic benefits.
According to diabetologist Dr. V. Mohan, 'Clinical data on semaglutide demonstrates not just weight loss but also considerable improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers. For Indians, where diabetes and heart disease are on the rise, access to such evidence-based therapy offers holistic benefits.'
India-specific pricing for Wegovy: Full dose list
With a pricing strategy tailored for the Indian market, Novo Nordisk is offering the same cost for the initial three dosing strengths:
Dose
Monthly Price (₹)
Per Dose (₹)
0.25 mg
₹17,345
₹4,366
0.5 mg
₹17,345
₹4,366
1 mg
₹17,345
₹4,366
1.75 mg
₹24,280
₹6,070
2.4 mg
₹26,015
₹6,503
By comparison, Mounjaro, which contains the dual-action compound tirzepatide, is priced more competitively:
Source: iStock
Mounjaro Dose
Monthly Price (₹)
2.5 mg
₹14,000
5 mg
₹17,500
Results comparable to bariatric surgery — but with caveats
Wegovy has demonstrated remarkable outcomes in clinical studies, positioning it as a breakthrough in the treatment of obesity and related conditions. Patients using the drug experienced an average weight loss of nearly 15%, with one in three shedding as much as 20% of their body weight. Beyond weight loss, Wegovy also significantly
reduces
the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
The drug also had notable benefits for liver health and showed improvement in liver fibrosis. However, the benefits of Wegovy are tied closely to continued use. Discontinuation often results in weight regain, and medical experts have raised concerns about potential muscle mass loss over time, underscoring the need for long-term management and monitoring.
Wegovy vs. Mounjaro: Key differences
Aspect
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
Mechanism
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist
Effect
Reduces appetite, delays gastric emptying
Enhances insulin secretion, appetite suppression
Indication
Approved for weight loss
Approved for diabetes, used off-label for weight loss
Dosing
Once a week via Flexpen
Once a week via single-dose vials
Price
₹17,345–₹26,015 per month
₹14,000–₹17,500 per month
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