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Ozempic launched in India: Once-weekly injection, starting dose of 0.25 mg at Rs 2,200 per week

Ozempic price in India: Treatments should only be taken under medical supervision; microdosing not recommended.

Ozempic Launched in India: The drug prompts the pancreas to produce more insulin when blood sugar levels are high. (File Photo)

Danish pharma major Novo Nordisk has announced the launch of Ozempic (injectable semaglutide) in India. The popular once-a-week injection to help manage Type 2 diabetes will be available at a starting dose of 0.25 mg priced at Rs 2,200 per week.

The announcement was made on Friday by Vikrant Shrotriya, MD, Novo Nordisk. On the occasion, Dr A G Unnikrishnan, Chief of Endocrinology at The Chellaram Diabetes Institute, Pune and Dr Shashank Joshi, consultant endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai joined in to caution that it was also vital to ensure that the drug is given to the correct patient under medical supervision.

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a once-weekly GLP-1 RA (receptor agonist) indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for adults living with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It prompts the pancreas to produce more insulin when blood sugar levels are high and prevents the liver from creating and releasing too much sugar into the bloodstream.

It also regulates appetite and food intake by acting on areas of the brain that control hunger. Doctors explained that it supports weight loss in people with Type 2 diabetes and reduces risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications associated with diabetes.

Also Read | Ozempic myths you should not fall for: Can having it for short-term lead to weight loss?

What is Ozempic price in India?

The drug price is Rs 2,200 per week for the lowest dose at 0.25 mg in the country. The monthly cost would be Rs 8,800 per month. Meanwhile the 0.5 mg dose has been priced at Rs 10,170 for a month and the highest 1 mg dose will cost Rs 11,175 per month.

At present, the weekly pricing of Wegovy (0.25 mg dose) is Rs 2,712, while the 0.5 mg drug costs Rs 3,462 per week. The 1 mg dose of Wegovy is priced at Rs 3,462 per week while the 1.7 mg drug is priced at Rs 4,100 per week. Mounjaro (tirzepatide, a combination of GLP1-RA with GIP) 2.5 mg solution for injection that improves blood sugar control in adults with Type 2 diabetes when used in conjunction with a balanced diet and regular exercise is priced at Rs 13,500 for 2.5 mg dose per month.

What is the efficacy of Ozempic?

This is the most prescribed GLP-1, according to the panelists at the launch, who also explained that the once-weekly injectable formulation of semaglutide is approved in India for adults with Type 2 diabetes as the first line treatment, adjunct to diet and exercise. “While effectively reducing blood sugar, Ozempic is clinically proven to provide compelling weight-loss benefits in people with diabetes,” Dr Unnikrishnan said.

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He also added in addition to powerful HbA1C control and weight benefits, additional benefits of Ozempic include cardiovascular and kidney protection in people with diabetes.

No relief for Novo Nordisk: HC refuses interim stay on order letting Dr Reddy’s make, export weight-loss drug

Why the need for caution?

Dr Joshi said that the reason why these GLP-1 agents need to be carefully administered – especially in Indians — is because we have the “thin-fat” phenotype. Which means we have visceral fat inside muscle, liver and epicardial tissue. “Hence these GLP-1 agents need to be administered under medical supervision,” he told The Indian Express.

He further explained that while oral tablets were traditionally preferred, injectables like semaglutide are gaining acceptance due to their effectiveness in controlling blood sugar and promoting weight loss. “Treatments should only be taken under medical supervision and strictly according to prescribed dosages, as microdosing is not recommended,” Dr Joshi said.

Emerging drug options

Dr Unnikrishnan said the entry of weight loss drugs augured well as differences in their action profile can help doctors approach the disease in a nuanced manner and customise therapies. “We can select individualised therapies based on patient profile,” he said.

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However, as generic versions become available, there is a likelihood of a price benefit and better access to people with the disease, Dr Unnikrishnan said. “This will help the overall management of type 2 diabetes and obesity and help the medication reach every corner of the country. The size of the problem is so large that more options are better for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity,” Dr Unnikrishnan told The Indian Express.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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