Weight Loss and Diabetes Drug Could Cost Only $3 to Produce

New medical research has revealed that the active ingredient semaglutide, used in widely known weight-loss and diabetes medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy, could potentially be manufactured for as little as $3 per month once patent protections expire in some countries. Scientists analysing pharmaceutical production costs found that generic versions of the injectable treatment could be produced for roughly $28 to $140 per year per patient, far lower than current prices in many countries where the branded drugs can cost around $200 per month or more. Researchers say the discovery could dramatically expand access to treatment for obesity and Type 2 diabetes, conditions that affect hundreds of millions of people globally and significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and certain cancers. If generic manufacturing becomes widely available in the coming years, experts believe millions more patients-especially in low- and middle-income countries-could benefit from these medications, potentially transforming the global response to obesity-related diseases and diabetes.