Gujarat diabetes drug market jumps 30% on semaglutide surge

Ahmedabad: Gujarat posted its highest-ever single-month spike in diabetes drug sales in April 2026, with the market expanding 30% year-on-year to Rs 118 crore, driven by the entry of affordable semaglutide-based alternatives after patent expiry in India and several global markets. Doctors say these drugs, initially prescribed mainly for diabetes care, are now increasingly being recommended across specialties, including for women with PCOS and obesity-related hormonal disorders under specialist supervision.

The surge follows the expiry of the patent for semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic, in key markets, enabling Indian pharmaceutical firms to roll out lower-cost versions.

Putting this into context, Sheetal Sapale, vice-president (commercial) at Pharmarack, said, “The growth in anti-diabetic therapy is clearly linked to higher uptake of semaglutide. These drugs were earlier accessible only to a limited patient base due to steep pricing. The wider availability of generics has led to a sharp rise in patient onboarding.”

“This is not limited to diabetes management but extends to weight-loss therapies and obesity-linked conditions. Semaglutide works by regulating appetite and suppressing the hunger hormone, which is why demand has risen rapidly among patients dealing with obesity and related lifestyle disorders. Increasingly, even gynaecologists are advising specialist consultations for patients with conditions such as PCOS, where obesity and endocrine imbalances are major concerns,” she said.

Dr Nita Thakre, immediate past president of the Ahmedabad Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society, said, “Gynaecologists are not authorized to prescribe semaglutide directly. However, conditions such as PCOS are often linked to endocrine imbalances and obesity. In such instances, we advise patients to consult endocrinologists to assess suitability for these therapies. Since obesity is tied to several chronic lifestyle diseases, semaglutide can benefit select patients.”

According to medical practitioners, prescriptions for semaglutide compounds have risen sharply over the past few months.

“Earlier, out of 50 patients, barely three to four were prescribed semaglutide compounds, mainly due to high cost and limited availability. Today, about 10 to 15 out of every 50 patients are being prescribed the drug,” said Dr Sanjeev Phatak, a city-based senior endocrinologist.

According to doctors, Indian alternatives currently available in the market have so far shown encouraging outcomes.

“The Indian options are largely reliable and have demonstrated good results for patients. I expect this trend to continue with the rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases in Gujarat and across the country,” said a senior endocrinologist.

Dr Ramesh Goyal, senior endocrinologist with Apollo Hospitals, said there are two distinct categories in which patients are prescribed GLP-1 therapies, which could explain the surge in sales.

“The first category includes patients with type-1 diabetes and obesity who need to lose weight to prevent health deterioration due to sugar spikes. They require long-term weight management. The second category consists of relatively younger individuals aiming to achieve specific weight targets — they have obesity issues, but the goal is losing a few kilos,” he said. “In both groups, the numbers are increasing.”

He added that doctors are also seeing cases where patients are referred by gynaecologists to address PCOD/PCOS issues, where obesity becomes a significant factor in irregular menstruation and hormonal imbalance.