247

The blockbuster weight loss drug sold as Ozempic and Wegovy [has, on 21 March, gone] generic in countries that are home to 40 percent of the world’s population, significantly lowering the price of a costly medicine that had been largely unaffordable to nearly all but the wealthiest people. On Saturday, Novo Nordisk, the company that until now has had a monopoly on selling the drug, will lose patent protection in several of the world’s most populous countries. The first generic versions are expected to arrive in India as soon as this weekend. In the coming months, the generics are also expected to become available in China, Canada, Brazil, Turkey and South Africa.

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] JasonDJ@lemmy.zip 82 points 2 months ago

Ok so how can I get generic ozempic from India, because here in the US there probably won't be a generic until at least 2032 due to how our patent laws work.

[-] Melobol@lemmy.ml 17 points 2 months ago

You could get it from Canada, its a bit closer.

[-] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 months ago

Because some idiot at Novo Nordisk forgot to file parent renewal forms on time with Health Canada.

[-] sga@piefed.social 11 points 2 months ago

i am guessing ask someone to bring it over (maybe courier also works).

[-] Nawor3565@lemmy.blahaj.zone 36 points 2 months ago

Yes, my understanding is that it's legal in the US to purchase prescription-only drugs from overseas as long as they're only for personal use. It's kind of a grey area but as long as they're not scheduled substances, I and multiple people I know have saved a lot of money by buying prescription drugs from Europe and shipping them here (we have such a wonderfully broken system here, don't we?)

[-] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 months ago

If you go to border towns in Mexico like Tijuana they have pharmacies on every corner like Starbucks where you can buy medications.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] cogitase@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 points 2 months ago

I’ve purchased generic medications on DNMs before. There was a user “Indiapilldaddy” who sold hundreds of different generics. Antibiotics, antivirals, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. With the review system on the DNMs it’s probably more trustworthy than some random website that pops up.

[-] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 16 points 2 months ago

DNMs

It's fun to dereference jargon the First time you use it.

[-] Allero@lemmy.today 22 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Here comes a gentle reminder: Ozempic is primarily meant as a medicine for type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It has plenty of side effects, does not lead to long-term weight loss and may harm you in the long run. It may be helpful, but it shouldn't be taken uncontrollably.

Consult your physician to determine if it's the best way forward.

[-] JennaR8r@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago

I've been on it for 2 years for weight loss/maintenance and it's life-changing & I wish this existed 30 years ago, my entire life & self-esteem would've made me a completely different person so much more confident & goal-achieving

[-] rabber@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 month ago

Lost my best friend of 20 years and I blame this drug. I am convinced rapid weight loss when you've been fat for 35 years is going to be a huge change to the brain as well. Dude isn't the same person anymore

load more comments (4 replies)
load more comments (22 replies)
[-] sga@piefed.social 20 points 2 months ago

From the reports that i have read (am indian), 20+ generics are expected, within roughly 2 months or so, with previous price being something along 10k INR (roughly 100USD) a month to about 3-4k INR (30-40 USD) a month. Drugs have always been kinda cheap here (as an example, a simple paracetamol (tylenol) tablet costs 1 INR (~1cent US)), so it is still expensive (for vast majority, it is more than 2-3 days of work), but much better. hope people use this cautiously though with reasonable expectations.

[-] MangoCats@feddit.it 8 points 2 months ago

Sounds to me like the US is going to continue to be a country of morbidly obese poor people in a much skinnier world.

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] teolan@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago

We're not able to regulate the food and automobile industry so we're going to drug everyone forever so that we don't end up like the Pixar spaceships. In 20 years we'll discover the side effects and everyone will be shocked.

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] sakuraba@lemmy.ml 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

edit: man imagine being angry that a drug has gone generic so more people can benefit from it, i hope all you removed and removed

I hope it comes soon here, I'm prediabetic and was starting to be unable to hold myself up for more than 5 minutes without a sharp pain in my back that made me unable to do a lot of things (except work of course)

Right now I'm on fentermine and it helps my audhd but the main effect is that now I don't feel the urge to eat huge volumes of food just to feel "good" and bloated for the next 4 hours. I already lost 10 kilos and it let me start exercising. Good shit but I'm already on the last half of my treatment

I hope no-one is in a position where their own body betrays them with a chemical imbalance that leads them to not make the best decisions for their health, because after reading some comments some of you would commit suicide before taking any "stupid pill"-

[-] RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Never believe it's not so

[-] hanrahan@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

i tried it briefly for a couple months, got embarrassed at myself for my brief moment of insanity that I had tried it and stopped.

observing all this is beyond my ability to any longer have sympathy for the human race as a whole . Instead of banning cars, starbucks and fast food etal we design a drug to sell to you.

Like many of the endless examples of human stupidity, it seemingly makes lots of sense at an individual level and is completely fucking insane at a societal level.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 29 Mar 2026
247 points (95.2% liked)

Uplifting News

19015 readers
176 users here now

Welcome to /c/UpliftingNews (rules), a dedicated space where optimism and positivity converge to bring you the most heartening and inspiring stories from around the world. We strive to curate and share content that lights up your day, invigorates your spirit, and inspires you to spread positivity in your own way. This is a sanctuary for those seeking a break from the incessant negativity and rage (e.g. schadenfreude) often found in today's news cycle. From acts of everyday kindness to large-scale philanthropic efforts, from individual achievements to community triumphs, we bring you news—in text form or otherwise—that gives hope, fosters empathy, and strengthens the belief in humanity's capacity for good, from a quality outlet that does not publish bad copies of copies of copies.

Here in /c/UpliftingNews, we uphold the values of respect, empathy, and inclusivity, fostering a supportive and vibrant community. We encourage you to share your positive news, comment, engage in uplifting conversations, and find solace in the goodness that exists around us. We are more than a news-sharing platform; we are a community built on the power of positivity and the collective desire for a more hopeful world. Remember, your small acts of kindness can be someone else's big ray of hope. Be part of the positivity revolution; share, uplift, inspire!

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS