A new study reveals that generic versions of the widely used weight-loss and diabetes drug semaglutide could be produced for as little as $3 per month, potentially expanding access for millions in low- and middle-income countries.
The research, based on recent production data, indicates that injectable forms of the medication could be manufactured at this minimal cost, with oral versions priced around $16 monthly. This dramatic reduction comes as key patents are set to expire in several countries, including Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, this year. An additional 150 nations, primarily in Africa, where patents were never filed, could also benefit.
“These prices could enable worldwide access to a critical medicine,” stated one of the study’s authors, highlighting the potential to replicate the success seen with affordable generics for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes represent escalating global health crises, with over a billion people affected worldwide. The conditions are linked to millions of deaths annually from related illnesses like heart disease and stroke. While semaglutide—marketed under brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic—has been recognized as an essential medicine, its high cost has severely limited availability.
Experts caution that affordable drugs alone are not a complete solution. Underlying factors such as poverty, food insecurity, and urbanization must also be addressed through coordinated policy. The focus now shifts to how health systems can responsibly integrate these treatments into broader care strategies.
With current prices exceeding $100 per month in many high-income countries, the shift toward generic production could mark a turning point in managing these chronic diseases on a global scale.
