As semaglutide’s patent expires on March 20 the entry of generics is set to nearly halve treatment costs, opening up injectable anti-obesity treatment. But pharma firms, trying to stand out in a crowded room, are looking beyond simple price cuts, eyeing an entire weight-loss ecosystem. This could include diet plans, counselling and clinic partnerships
If you are looking to start your weight-loss journey via a ‘magic shot’, you are in luck. Your doctor’s prescription may soon come with more than just an injection. You may also get additional support, including diet plans, derma consults, regular follow-ups and access to specialised obesity clinics.
This ‘broad-base’ shift is expected from March 20, the day Danish firm Novo Nordisk’s patent on semaglutide — the key ingredient in ‘blockbuster’ weight-loss drugs, better known through the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy — expires. This is expected to open up the market to affordable, generic versions, bringing the treatment of injectable diabetes and weight loss within reach of the middle and upper-middle classes.
This ‘broad-base’ shift is expected from March 20, the day Danish firm Novo Nordisk’s patent on semaglutide — the key ingredient in ‘blockbuster’ weight-loss drugs, better known through the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy — expires. This is expected to open up the market to affordable, generic versions, bringing the treatment of injectable diabetes and weight loss within reach of the middle and upper-middle classes.