Weight loss drug: Novo Nordisk Wegovy now available in India

Wegovy is a prescription-only medication that has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of Indians living with obesity or overweight. As per the INDIAB study, India has 254 million people with generalised obesity and 351 people with abdominal obesity.

India has the third highest number of people living with overweight and obesity. Alarmingly, obesity is associated with over 200 diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Misconceptions about obesity include that it is the result of poor lifestyle choices and a lack of self-discipline. However, obesity is caused by many different factors, including genetics, biology, psychology, society and the environment we live in. As with other chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or asthma, obesity requires long-term management with effective treatment solutions.

Clinical studies with Semaglutide 2.4 mg (the active ingredient in Wegovy) demonstrate:

• 20% or more weight reduction in at least 1 in 3 individuals when used along with lifestyle interventions comprising reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• 20% reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, like cardiovascular disease related death, heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke and when used on top of standard of care in people with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity.¹

Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that acts on key areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation and food intake thereby reducing hunger, improving satiety and reducing cravings for food, eventually inducing weight-loss. It also improves insulin resistance and has a beneficial effect on reduction of cardiometabolic events and risk factors.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy. While Ozempic in many countries across the world is indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, Wegovy is indicated for weight management and reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.

Ozempic and Wegovy have been studied extensively in different trial participants and are indicated for different uses, as well as available in different dosages. Ozempic is not yet available in India. It is strongly advised that people with overweight or obesity speak to their doctor for appropriate treatment options.

Addressing the media, Vikrant Shrotriya - Managing Director, Novo Nordisk India said, “Obesity is not just a personal health concern—it is a chronic disease and a national epidemic that India cannot afford to ignore. Recognising this, we are proud to announce that we are bringing Wegovy to Indians as a transformative and evidence-based therapeutic solution with the convenience of a world-class, state-of-the-art pen device. Additionally, we have an India-specific price with the benefit of same price for the first three dosing strengths. With this we are reaffirming our commitment to address India's growing burden of overweight and obesity.”

Wegovy will be available in a once-weekly innovative pen device in five dose strengths – 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and a maintenance dosing of 2.4 mg. The state-of-the-art pen device provides the convenience of simple administration and precise dosing.