Ozempic Goes Generic -But Not in the US
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- Patent protections for semaglutide, sold as Ozempic and Wegovy, expire Saturday in several populous countries including India, China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, and South Africa, allowing generic versions to enter these markets.
- This change affects about 40% of the global population, potentially democratizing access to these drugs, which have previously been limited to wealthy individuals in high-income countries.
- Around 50 generic manufacturers in India alone are expected to enter the market soon, potentially reducing monthly prices to about $15, significantly lower than current costs that can reach hundreds of dollars.
- The increased availability of affordable generics may enable broader coverage by national health systems in middle-income countries for diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention.
