On March 20, the patent on semaglutide—the key ingredient in Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic—will expire in India. This means local drug companies can make cheaper versions, increasing competition, cutting prices by more than half, and making the drugs more accessible in India—and potentially in other countries as well.
Analysts expect about 50 branded semaglutide generics to hit the market within months—a common trend in India’s highly competitive pharmaceutical industry.
Originally created to treat diabetes, these drugs are now seen as breakthroughs for weight loss, delivering results few earlier treatments could match.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 42% of Americans are obese, and 65% say willpower alone isn’t enough for most people who are trying to lose weight. While weight-loss aids have been around for decades, a new class of weight-loss drugs, including brands like Ozempic and Wegovy, has soared in popularity. Around one in eight American adults has used weight-loss drugs, but factors including cost, a shortage of medications, and side effects have made many people stop.
But what happens when you stop taking weight-loss drugs? Fortunately, this gallery contains all you need to know. Click on to discover more.