India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 20 February 2026
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is gearing up to launch a semaglutide generic in India on March 21, the very day the patent for the blockbuster diabetes and weight-loss molecule expires.
The Hyderabad based drugmaker plans to sell both injectable and oral versions at competitive prices to widen access to treatment for millions of patients struggling with type-2 diabetes and obesity.
According to company executives, semaglutide generic will be available right from Day 1 with sufficient manufacturing capacity ready to serve demand. Dr Reddy’s intends to begin with the diabetes indication before expanding into obesity treatments, tapping into India’s large patient base while offering a more affordable alternative to branded medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy that have dominated the market at high costs.
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Industry estimates suggest prices for generic semaglutide could be nearly half the cost of innovator brands, with analysts forecasting drug prices could drop over 65% after patent expiry due to increased competition. This has sparked interest among Indian manufacturers lining up to enter the GLP-1 receptor agonist segment and reshape access to these therapies.
Dr Reddy’s is also investing in education and support for doctors and patients, including plans to establish obesity centres and provide lifestyle and nutritional guidance alongside drug therapy. The company has secured regulatory approvals in India and a Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product that will help it pursue exports to markets across Asia, Africa and Latin America over the next two years.
Healthcare experts say the semaglutide generic launch could be a turning point for treatment affordability in India, deepening competition and potentially transforming how metabolic diseases are managed nationwide.
