Ozempic’s Desi Versions Flood India, But Market Growth Hits Brakes
Ozempic’s Desi Versions Flood India, But Market Growth Hits Brakes Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 08:37 IST Two drugs dominate the
Ozempic’s Desi Versions Flood India, But Market Growth Hits Brakes Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 08:37 IST Two drugs dominate the market: tirzepatide or Mounjaro and semaglutide or Ozempic. Together, they account for nearly all sales in the anti-obesity segment Rapid Read Among 35 brands made by 17 different companies, only seven saw sales growth in May. India’s booming weight-loss drug market has reached a Rs 2,000-crore milestone, but the breakneck growth that defined the past year is losing speed, data shows. After an explosion in affordable versions of two blockbuster medications—Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), sales are now plateauing, raising hard questions about whether the surge actually reflected true patient demand or simply a one-time rush to cheaper options. The slowdown, in Pharmarack’s latest market data through May, shows that the initial frenzy around affordable weight-loss drugs may have peaked. Growth that had been explosive is now stalling, and cheaper copycat versions are struggling to maintain their early momentum. “The generic onslaught has undoubtedly democratised access to GLP-1 therapies in India, but it has not displaced the original innovator. The latest market data reveals a dual-track ecosystem: we see massive volume stabilisation across key generic brands alongside a robust 27 per cent month-on-month growth for the innovator molecule, proving that physician confidence in original, evidence-based brands remains highly sustained," explained Dr Anoop Misra, executive chairman of Fortis C-DOC Hospital. What the Numbers Tell Us Two drugs dominate the market: tirzepatide and semaglutide. Together, they account for nearly all sales in the anti-obesity segment.
In May alone, data shows, the market saw Rs 1,906 crore in sales across all weight-loss medications. The injectable forms of semaglutide had surged to 1.9 lakh units in May, against 25,000 injections in February when the drug was under patent, as cheaper versions entered the market, making the drug accessible to millions who could not afford the original branded version. However, the tempo of growth has slowed down from March where sales jumped from 25,000 units (in February) to 63000 units and then, 1.70 lakh in April. Now, in May, unit sales stood at 1.90 lakh. “Due to economical pricing, the unit consumption on semaglutide has moved up significantly, but the tempo has slowed down," said the report. Tirzepatide, which had shown strong sales momentum through April, has also retreated to levels seen before cheaper versions were launched. Among 35 brands made by 17 different companies, only seven saw sales growth in May. Most are struggling. Some brands—like Ozempic (original version by Novo Nordisk) and a few others with large patient bases—are holding steady. But many cheaper versions face inventory piling up, especially in semaglutide, the report pointed out. Why This Matters: The Real Story Behind the Numbers The slowdown points to a fundamental question that doctors, patients, and companies now face: Did cheaper drugs actually expand the patient pool, or did they simply move existing patients from expensive brands to budget versions? In clinical practice, Misra from Fortis said, “this translates directly to a tailored approach—while I preferentially stick to the original innovator brand to ensure established clinical predictability, generics serve as an invaluable tool to bridge the access gap for patients who face significant financial barriers".
According to Dr Nishant Raizada, head, endocrinology & diabetes at Faridabad-based Amrita Hospital, “The Indian GLP-1 market is at an interesting inflection point. What we are seeing today is not a slowdown but the end of the first gold-rush period that followed the introduction of affordable semaglutide brands." He explained that whenever a breakthrough therapy suddenly becomes available to a much larger population, there is an immediate rush by patients who have been waiting on the sidelines because of cost. “That wave seems to have largely run its course." “The real story is that demand has held up despite the hype around generic launches. Indeed, the continued growth of innovator brands at the same time as growth in generics tells us something very significant about physician behaviour. Endocrinologists are evidence-based. We take into account not just price but also long-term efficacy, cardiovascular outcomes, safety data, durability of weight loss, and patient adherence." Experts believe the continued strong performance of innovator molecules against lower-cost competition is a testament to continued confidence in brands underpinned by strong global clinical evidence. And at the same time, Raizada said, the market is moving beyond just the obesity conversation. “We are increasingly using these therapies as part of a broader metabolic strategy for patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular risk factors and insulin resistance. That clinical shift is likely to underpin demand over the long term." India has one of the largest populations with obesity and diabetes in the world, but only a small fraction of eligible patients is receiving advanced metabolic therapies.
“The real opportunity is there," he said. Dr Kunal Gupta, endocrinologist at SPARSH Hospital, Bengaluru, echoed similar observations. “The latest trends in India’s GLP-1 agonist market indicate that the anti-obesity segment is entering a more mature phase after the initial surge driven by generic semaglutide launches. Interestingly, innovator brands such as tirzepatide continue to demonstrate resilience, reflecting sustained physician confidence in evidence-based therapies, particularly among specialists managing complex obesity and metabolic disorders." He believes that going forward, market expansion will depend on long-term patient adherence, continued onboarding of eligible individuals, affordability strategies, and real-world clinical outcomes. “Ultimately, broader access must be balanced with appropriate patient selection and ongoing medical supervision to ensure sustainable health benefits." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Himani Chandna Senior Associate Editor Himani Chandna, Senior Associate Editor at CNN-News18, tracks healthcare, pharma and medical research, bringing clarity to complex science and policy. First Published: June 09, 2026, 08:37 IST News india Ozempic’s Desi Versions Flood India, But Market Growth Hits Brakes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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