00:00Today is an important day. A tsunami is coming. A tsunami of generics for GLP-1 semaglutide,
00:07that means weight loss drugs. Let's try and understand how. Now, how much do weight loss
00:13injections actually cost in India right now? About 9,000 to 28,000 rupees per month.
00:19But from March 21st, those prices are about to crash. Not just by 30%, not just by 50%,
00:27but a staggering 70% to start with. That's right. The same weight loss injection could soon cost as
00:35little as just 3,000 to 4,000 rupees per month. Why? Because the patent for the blockbuster drug
00:44semaglutide is expiring. In fact, has expired now. Semaglutide is the active ingredient behind the
00:51global mega drugs like Ozempic and Vigovi, originally for diabetes, now famous worldwide
00:56for rapid weight loss as well. These injections work like by copying the natural hormone of
01:02reducing hunger, reducing appetite, slowing down your stomach emptying and also improving
01:08your blood sugar control. But patients don't, you know, you have to be a little careful about this
01:16entire thing. We'll tell you why towards the end. Remember, when it comes to patents, they don't last
01:21forever. And in India, the key patent expiry on March 20th from March 21st, any approved
01:28pharma company can now manufacture and sell it. And we counted 54 branded generic versions will rush the
01:37market, will rush the pharmacies immediately after the patent lift that is in day 2, day 3, day 4 as
01:46well.
01:46Now, this is what experts called a patent cliff. One day, there is monopoly. The next day, there is
01:54massive competition. India pharma giants are already lined up and many are planning day 1 launches. Right
02:00now, monthly treatments can sort of exceed 9,000 to even 28,000 rupees. After generics enter, the prices
02:08will be nearly one-third, one-fifth. And that is just to start with. As we go towards December,
02:13there could be further rationalization of these medicines. Industry estimates suggest that the cost
02:19paid drop around 3,000 to 4,000 rupees per month. Genetics are cheaper, remember, because companies
02:24don't repeat billion-dollar researches. They manufacture the same molecule, prove it works,
02:30and the same, you know, now is competitive in the market as well. Now, this isn't just a vanity weight
02:38loss. Remember that. India has one of the world's largest diabetes and obesity population. Cheaper
02:45access could transform treatment for millions of people. But remember, this is not for everyone.
02:53Only an internal medicine expert or an endocrinologist should be prescribing. Even if that thought is in
02:59your head that, okay, let me jump on to these medications now that they're sort of affordable,
03:03now that they're available everywhere, please, please consult your doctor before you do that.
03:08And remember, this is not just an India phenomena. This will have global repercussions because India
03:15is the pharmacy of the world, which means once generics enter, prices will crash globally, not just
03:21in India. But over and above all of this, I have to remind you again, these are amazing drugs. These
03:31are powerful drugs, but they are not for everyone. Only those who are clinically, chronically obese
03:38are the ones who should be taking it. I cannot stress on this enough. This is not a beauty shot.
03:43This is
03:43not powerful metabolic medicine that anybody can take. Not every doctor should be prescribing it either.
03:49Like I said, an endocrinologist or internal medicine specialist only knows how to even evaluate
03:55your body or understand what these drugs are doing to you. Remember, these drugs affect hormones,
04:00blood sugar, digestion, cardiovascular risks as well. So there are a series of tests that have to be
04:05done on you before you even start taking these drugs. So please go to your doctor, get those tests
04:12done if you think they are the need and listen to the right doctor and only then get on to
04:17these drugs.
04:18Remember, this is also importantly, only semaglutide. What you have in Manjaro and your peak, which is a
04:26Sipla India product, that also is a GLP-1, but that's a different, that is Trezapatite, that is even
04:33more powerful, GIP plus GLP-1. That patent has not expired. So those who are taking Manjaro and your peak
04:41will continue to have that advantage. Price crash not happening for you. For the rest, semaglutide is now
04:47just going to be about 3,000 to 4,000 per month.
