Novo Nordisk slashes Wegovy's price in India by 37% to fight obesity crisis

Novo Nordisk has slashed the gold price of its anti-obesity drug Wegovy in India by up to 37%. The move aims to improve access for millions struggling with obesity in a country where the condition is rapidly rising. Doctors and industry experts have welcomed the decision as a step toward more affordable treatment options.

The new pricing sets the starting dose of 0.25 mg at ₹2,712 per week, down from ₹4,336. This reduction could broaden patient access but may not immediately shift preferences away from Eli Lilly's competing drug, Mounjaro. Wegovy, launched in India in June 2025, is approved for weight management and reducing cardiovascular risks.

The price cut arrives as obesity rates climb sharply across the country. A recent ICMR-INDIAB study found that 254 million Indians suffer from generalised obesity, while 351 million have abdominal obesity. The World Obesity Federation also warns that India's obesity-related healthcare costs could surge tenfold by 2060 compared to 2030.

Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India, stated that the price revision aligns with the company's goal of offering safe, effective, and sustainable obesity treatments. Analysts suggest the move may reshape pricing dynamics in India's growing obesity treatment market, where competition between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly is heating up.

The reduced cost of Wegovy could make obesity treatment more attainable for many patients. While its impact on market competition remains uncertain, the price adjustment reflects a push for wider accessibility. With obesity rates and related healthcare expenses rising, such measures may play a key role in addressing the country's growing health challenges.