India, Oct. 24 -- The patent protecting semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug, in India expired on 20th March 2026, making India one of the first major markets to allow generic competition. Several domestic manufacturers, including Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, Zydus Lifesciences, Natco Pharma, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, and Alkem Laboratories, introduced formulations. Monthly therapy costs declined from Rs 10,850-16,400 for originator brands to as little as RS 1290.

Semaglutide is approved in India for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Its lower cost coincides with emerging clinical evidence supporting its investigation for alcohol use disorder (AUD), raising an important question for Indian public health and the pharmaceutical in...