What Could This Mean for UK Patients?

Right now, the UK market for GLP-1 medications is heavily private, with monthly prescriptions ranging anywhere from £150 to over £300, depending on dose and supplier. These costs are largely driven by limited supply, high brand premiums, and strong demand.

If Dr. Reddy’s manages to secure UK or EU approval for a generic semaglutide, even just via private routes, it could trigger:

• Downward price pressure across the private sector as competition increases

• Greater availability of lower-cost alternatives, particularly in online clinics

• A shift in pricing strategy from existing players like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly

Even if NHS use remains tightly restricted, the arrival of a legitimate, regulated generic alternative could radically change the affordability landscape for private users, potentially bringing prices below £100/month in future.

That said, don’t expect immediate change. Generic launches in the UK are still subject to MHRA approval, and brand-name patents may still limit market entry in the short term.

But the writing’s on the wall: change is coming, and it could make staying on a GLP-1 long-term far more financially viable.

India-based pharmaceutical giant Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories is preparing to launch generic versions of GLP-1 weight-loss medications across 87 countries as early as 2026, according to a new report from Reuters published on July 23.

The move could dramatically increase access to GLP-1-style treatments, especially in markets currently priced out of branded drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. While the exact formulation hasn’t been named, the company is focusing on semaglutide generics, the same active ingredient found in Ozempic and Wegovy.

Dr. Reddy’s CEO Erez Israeli told Reuters the company has already filed applications in some regions and will begin launches once regulatory approvals are granted.