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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Ozempic Copies At $14 In India As Generic GLP-1 Era Starts A t least a dozen large Indian drugmakers are set to roll out copies of Novo Nordisk A/S’s blockbuster weight-loss drugs as soon as the patent expires Friday, crashing prices in the country with the third-largest overweight population. Natco Pharma Ltd. plans to make an injection for semaglutide – the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy – that will have a starting price of 1,290 rupees ($14) a month, on the first day the generics are allowed. The pen device is expected to launch by April and cost about 4,500 rupees a month, it said in a filing. By comparison, Novo’sWegovy pen starts at about 10,480 rupees ($113) in India and about $199 in the US under the self-pay model. Other companies are likely to price the starting dose between 3,000 rupees ($32) and 5,000 rupees a month, according to people familiar with the matter who did not want to be named as the informa- tion is competitive. While Canada was the first to lose patent protection for semaglutide in January, the Canadian health regula- tor hasn’t approved any generics so far effectively making India the first major market to see a flood of copycat versions. The ensuing price war will be closely watched as the Danish drugmaker faces patent expiries in key markets including China, Brazil and Turkey. Bloomberg News parsed company filings and earnings call transcripts to identify at least 12 large drugmakers – Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Dr. Reddy’s Labora- tories Ltd. and Lupin Ltd. among others – that have plans to sell generic semaglutide soon after patent expiry. But the true scale of competition will be much higher. About 42 drug manufacturers, including smaller ones, are expected to launch products under more than 50 brand names this year, said Sheetal Sapale, a researcher at market data firm Pharmarack. ‘Case Study’ India is “an important case-study for the future” loss of exclusivity on this molecule, Jefferies analysts led by James Vane-Tempest wrote in a Feb. 12 note. The broker- age estimates India’s weight-loss market at about $500 million, which “could rise to $1 billion with the right pric- ing, adoption and government incentives.”Health Demand for these weight-loss drugs is also high as India’s 1.4-billion-plus population faces a higher burden of diabetes and cardiovascular ailments, largely due to increasingly sedentary urban lifestyles. On the other hand, high-calorie diets, dripping with oil and fat, have led to a large overweight population that trails only the US and China.India Politics Coverage Generic drugmakers are also experimenting with a range of delivery formats, including single-use pre-filled syringes, single-shot pen injectors, vials, and reusable pens with adjustable dosing, the people familiar with the matter said. These are aimed at giving patients more flexibility, reducing the cost burden and making adoption of these anti-obesity therapies easier. Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic andWegovy and Eli Lilly & Co.’s Mounjaro in India cur- rently come in a pre-filled pen with four shots. The tweaked delivery methods can also build brand loyalty. If a patient gets comfortable using a particular device, they usually wouldn’t switch, Pharmarack’s Sapale said. “The reputation of the company in this therapy catego- ry as well as the delivery system will be the differentiators now” since the underlying semaglutide molecule is the same, she added. Indian drugmakers have also started forging alliances. Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. this week announced a licensing partnership with Lupin and Torrent Pharma Ltd., while Eris Lifesciences Ltd. has tied up with Natco Pharma for the marketing of the drug. The generic drugmakers will also focus more on smaller cities where innovator firms have not established a widespread presence, Sapale said. “There will be a lot of noise” in the market as firms fight for share, she added. -Bloomberg PHOTO:DHIRAJ SINGH/BLOOMBERG Injection pens for the weight-loss treatment Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk A/S, on display during a news conference in Mumbai. By Satviki Sanjay “8,931 Days And Counting”: India’s EAM Jaishankar Congratulates PM Modi On Becoming India’s Longest-Serving Head Of Government E xternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for achiev- ing the historic milestone of becom- ing India’s longest-serving head of government, completing 8,931 days in office, surpassing the previous record held by former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, who had served for 8,930 days. In a post on X, Jaishankar praised PM Modi’s political journey, noting that it reflects sustained public trust and a strong connection with citizens. “8,931 days and counting! PM Shri Na- rendra Modi has become India’s longest- serving head of government, surpassing former Sikkim CM Shri Pawan Kumar Chamling’s record of 8,930 days in public service,” the post read. “His inspiring journey of Jan Seva, first as Gujarat CM and three times as the Prime Minister, reflects the immense public trust and enduring connect with the people of India,” it added. Prime Minister Modi, who previously served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat be- fore assuming office at the national level, is leading the country for three terms, becoming one of the most prominent political figures in India’s history. Earlier today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded PMModi as India’s longest-serving leader, praising his 24 years of uninterrupted public service. Shah hailed Modi’s “sheer commit- ment” to the nation, noting that his tenure has reshaped India through development initiatives, welfare measures, and bolster- ing the country’s global stature. In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, “Modi Ji’s decades of Seva have shaped an era of his own. Whether it is giving the poor their rights, setting new landmarks in develop- ment or enhancing the nation’s pride on global platforms, the Modi era has trans- formed India unrecognisably.” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated the Prime Minister for becoming India’s longest-serving head of government. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is now the longest-serving head of a government in India. Pure devotion to the nation and its people defines PMModi Ji. From his unwavering commitment as the Chief Minister of Gujarat to his dedicated leadership as the Prime Minister, his life has been a continuous journey of service,” Rajnath said in a post on X. “Today, he surpasses the 8,930-day record of former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, achieving a historic milestone. With 8,931 days in public office as head of government, this moment reflects his deep commitment to nation-first governance, integrity in ac- tion, and tireless service to every citizen. Heartiest congratulations to Modi Ji on this remarkable achievement,” his post added. -ANI PHOTO:FILE PHOTO ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. 8 INDIA March 27, 2026