Novo Nordisk Cuts Wegovy Price in China Ahead of Patent Expiration Amid Growing Copycats

The adjustment is evident in the pricing displayed on the online platform operated by the large Chinese e-commerce firm JD.com. After an online check-up with a healthcare professional, individuals across China can submit purchases through digital channels.

The Danish pharmaceutical powerhouse Novo Nordisk has decreased the cost of its weight control medicine Wegovy in China. This step is taken while the company anticipates a likely influx of imitation products.

According to an email from a company representative, the reduction is designed to "ease the financial strain of treatment for patients and enhance their overall well-being."

Referencing procurement documents for medications in the southwestern Chinese areas of Yunnan and Sichuan, local outlet Yicai disclosed on Monday that the listed prices for the top two doses of Wegovy have been cut in half across multiple regions in China.

In China, Novo Nordisk's protection on semaglutide—the key ingredient in widely used treatments Wegovy and Ozempic—is set to end in March, prompting local enterprises to introduce more affordable generic options.

Recently, a domestically developed slimming drug from Innovent Biologics Inc. received approval in China, heightening the global competition that pits Novo against strong opponent Eli Lilly & Co.

For those managing weight loss, health monitoring tools such as Shotlee can assist in tracking progress effectively.