Novo Nordisk Brings Ozempic to India at Competitive Weekly Price to Expand Diabetes Treatment Access
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has officially introduced its blockbuster diabetes medication Ozempic (semaglutide injection) in India, marking a significant moment for the country’s expanding diabetes treatment landscape. The company launched the drug at an introductory price of Rs 2,200 per week for the 0.25 mg dosage, the starting dose used during the initiation phase of therapy. The move positions Novo Nordisk strongly within India’s rapidly growing diabetes and weight-management market, where patient demand is rising at unprecedented levels.
Ozempic’s entry is expected to reshape competitive dynamics in India’s anti-diabetes drug segment, especially considering the country’s vast population living with Type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. Analysts believe that the launch could strengthen Novo Nordisk’s leadership in the Indian insulin and diabetes-care ecosystem, where it already has a dominant presence.
Three Dosage Options Introduced to Support Stepwise Treatment Plan
Ozempic will be made available in three dosage formats—0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg—administered through a single-use, pre-filled pen known for its ease of use and painless subcutaneous delivery.
The initiation and step-up dosage schedule is as follows:
0.25 mg once weekly for the first four weeks
0.5 mg once weekly for at least the next four weeks
1 mg once weekly as a maintenance dose thereafter
This progressive titration helps patients adjust to semaglutide, minimizing gastrointestinal side effects while improving long-term adherence.
Novo Nordisk’s delivery pen incorporates Novofine Needles, designed to make injections smoother and more comfortable for patients, especially those new to injectable treatments.
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Ozempic Pricing Strategy Aims to Improve Affordability for Indian Patients
Novo Nordisk announced detailed pricing for all dosage levels, aligning Ozempic within what the company calls the “insulins price zone” to ensure accessibility.
Monthly Pricing Breakdown
0.25 mg (Initiation Phase): Rs 8,800 per month
(Rs 2,200 per week; four doses per pen)0.5 mg: Rs 10,170 per month
(Rs 2,542.50 per week)1 mg: Rs 11,175 per month
(Rs 2,793.75 per week)
The company emphasized that pricing was set after balancing global manufacturing costs with the need to expand access in a price-sensitive market like India.
Novo Nordisk Says Lower Price Point Will Boost Access and Drive Adoption
Vikrant Shrotriya, Corporate Vice President and Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, stated that launching Ozempic within an insulin-level price bracket was a “tough decision,” but essential for maintaining the company’s long-term commitment to diabetes care accessibility in India.
“Being a company that has played a big role in insulin access in India—where one in two people depend on our insulin—this is a moment of pride,” Shrotriya said.
He added that the company hopes the affordability strategy will encourage more patients to adopt semaglutide when prescribed, enabling wider therapeutic benefits across diabetes and metabolic disorders.
India Emerges as a Critical Market Amid Global Demand Surge for Semaglutide
India is home to the second-largest number of people living with Type 2 diabetes, trailing only China. With obesity rates rising sharply and lifestyle diseases becoming more prevalent across urban and semi-urban populations, the country represents a major opportunity for global drugmakers racing to capture share in the fast-growing diabetes and weight-loss drug market.
International analysts, including those cited by Reuters, estimate the global market for drugs like Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists could reach $150 billion annually by the end of the decade. Given India’s expanding diabetic population and the growing interest in weight-management therapies, Novo Nordisk’s timely launch could prove strategically important.
Clinical Benefits Highlight Ozempic’s Strong Therapeutic Profile
Beyond glucose control, Novo Nordisk highlighted several clinical advantages associated with semaglutide use. According to Shrotriya, Ozempic provides:
Up to 2.8% reduction in HbA1c levels
Average weight loss of up to 15%
Additional benefits for cardiovascular health
Support in managing chronic kidney disease risks
These multifaceted benefits make Ozempic one of the most sought-after therapeutics globally, especially at a time when patients are increasingly prioritizing weight-loss solutions alongside diabetes management.
Ozempic Launch Marks a Turning Point in India’s Diabetes Care Ecosystem
The introduction of Ozempic marks a pivotal moment for India’s metabolic health market. With a competitive pricing model, patient-friendly delivery mechanism and proven clinical outcomes, Novo Nordisk is poised to strengthen its leadership in diabetes innovation.
As patient awareness grows and more clinicians adopt GLP-1 therapies, Ozempic is expected to play a crucial role in redefining treatment standards for both diabetes and obesity in the country.
