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Weight loss drug mounjaro: Sales of Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro eased in March as intensifying price competition in the GLP‑1 drug market, triggered by the expiry of semaglutide’s patent, began to reshape demand patterns. With Novo Nordisk sharply cutting prices on Ozempic and Wegovy and low-cost generic versions of semaglutide gaining traction, the once premium-led market has entered a new phase marked by wider access, aggressive pricing and shifting market shares.
The expiry of Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide patent has opened the door for generic manufacturers in the Indian market, where patent protection ended in March 2026. This development has lowered entry barriers and dramatically reduced prices, widening patient access to GLP‑1 therapies while putting pressure on higher-priced brands. Against this backdrop, Mounjaro’s monthly sales declined by around Rs 20 crore in March compared with February, even as the broader GLP‑1 market continues to expand, as per a report by the Economic Times.
Sales data according to PharmaTrac
Tirezepatide sales stood at Rs 114 crore in March, down 15 per cent from about Rs 135 crore in February.
Semaglutide sales rose to Rs 59 crore in March from Rs 48 crore in February, up 23 per cent
Mounjaro sales dipped Rs 20-crore In March versus February due to
- Aggressive price cut by Novo Nordisk on Ozempic/Wegovy
- The entry of low-cost generics of semaglutide.
Current Market share versus March according to PharmaTrac:
- Eli Lilly – down to 56 per cent from 61 per cent in March (Mounjaro – tirezepatide)
- NovoNordisk – stable at 25 per cent (Ozempic/Wegovy – semaglutide)
- Cipla – down to 10 per cent from 12 per cent in March (Yurpeak- tirezepatide)
- Torrent Pharma – 3 per cent (Sembolic and Semalix – oral tablets and injections)
Current market estimates for GLP-1 drugs stands at Rs 1,600 crore, expected to increase
- Mounjaro starts at Rs 13,000 per month
- Ozempic starts at Rs 5,500 per month
- Generic Semaglutide starts as low as 1300 per month
Semaglutide is a an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It decreases blood sugar levels, stimulates insulin production and reduces food intake by lowering appetite and slowing down digestion in the stomach, helping reduce body weight. Studies show an average weight loss of 14.9 per cent to 17.4 per cent at 68 weeks with the 2.4 mg dose. A significant proportion of users (over 80 per cent) achieved 5 per cent weight loss can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally
Novo Nordisk failed to pay a required patent maintenance fee, and their patent on the chemical structure of the drug expired in 2020. A generic drug is a lower-cost version of a brand-name medication that must have the same active ingredient, dosage, safety, strength, and efficacy as the original.
Starting in March 2026, generic alternatives for Novo Nordisk’s Semaglutide drugs are entered the following countries:
In India, Semaglutide Patent expired on March 21 2026, making the treatment more affordable, and expand the market for these drugs by more than 10 times. in India
Semaglutide is a prescription medication primarily for adults with type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar and for adults (and adolescents 12+) who are obese or overweight, or often accompanied by weight-related conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease.
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such as :
- nausea,
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- abdominal pain,
- usually mild-to-moderate and subside over time.
Other potential effects include: fatigue, headaches, dizziness, heartburn, and injection site reactions.
Serious but rare risks include gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, and potential thyroid tumor risks
(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as any investment advice. ET NOW DIGITAL suggests its readers/audience to consult their financial advisors before making any money related decisions.)
