New Delhi: Global drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are intensifying competition in India’s obesity treatment market, as both race to secure patients and doctors before cheaper generic medicines arrive next year.
Lilly has taken an early lead with its weight loss and diabetes drug Mounjaro, which was launched in India earlier this year. Industry data show that Mounjaro has quickly become one of the country’s top selling medicines by value, despite its high price and the fact that most patients pay out of pocket.
Novo Nordisk entered the market later with Wegovy, a drug already popular in the United States and Europe. To catch up, the Danish company has cut prices in India and also introduced Ozempic, which is officially meant for diabetes but is widely prescribed for weight loss.
Both companies are now focusing on doctor outreach, awareness campaigns and expanding distribution networks, as obesity gains recognition as a serious medical condition rather than a lifestyle issue. India is expected to have one of the world’s largest overweight and obese populations in the coming decades, making it a key growth market for global drugmakers.
However, the window for premium pricing may be limited. The patent for semaglutide, the main ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, is set to expire in India in March 2026. Several Indian pharmaceutical companies are preparing to launch lower priced generic versions soon after, which could reduce treatment costs sharply and widen access.
Analysts estimate that India’s obesity drug market could cross one billion dollars within the next two years, driven by rising health awareness and urban lifestyles. But once generics enter, competition is expected to shift from brand power to price, forcing global companies to rethink their strategies.
For now, Lilly and Novo Nordisk remain locked in a high stakes race, each trying to build loyalty and scale before India’s obesity drug market enters its next, more crowded phase.