Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has officially launched its weight loss medication Wegovy in India on June 24. The once-weekly injectable drug will be available in pharmacies across the country by the end of the month.
Available Dosage and Pricing
Wegovy will be offered in five dosage strengths — 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.75 mg, and 2.4 mg — all packaged in user-friendly pen devices designed for self-administration.
The pricing structure for Wegovy in India is as follows:
The 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg doses will each cost ₹17,345 for a month’s supply.
The 1.75 mg dose is priced at ₹24,280 per month.
The highest dose of 2.4 mg will be available for ₹26,050 per month, translating to approximately ₹4,366 per weekly injection.
Gradual Dose Escalation Protocol
Patients starting on Wegovy will follow a four-week dose escalation schedule beginning with 0.25 mg per week for the first month. The dosage will then be increased to 0.5 mg weekly for the second month, followed by 1 mg weekly for the third month. After this initial period, prescribing physicians will assess patient response and determine whether to maintain, increase, or decrease the dosage as appropriate.
Target Patient Population
Wegovy is currently the only approved weight management medication indicated for both chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction. It is prescribed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (without additional health conditions) or for those with a BMI of 27 or higher who also have obesity-related co-morbidities.
Manufacturing and India Market Presence
Novo Nordisk has stated that it has no immediate plans for local manufacturing of Wegovy in India. However, the company has already established a presence in India’s obesity management space with the successful launch of oral Semaglutide in 2022, which has been well-received by both doctors and patients.