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Patent expiry opens door to cheaper Ozempic in Kenya
Ozempic is manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which has built an extensive patent portfolio around semaglutide across dozens of countries.
Patients in Kenya, currently paying up to Sh150,000 a month for the diabetes drug Ozempic, could soon access the treatment at a fraction of the cost following the expiry of its patent.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers across India, China and Brazil are already moving to flood global markets with cheaper versions of the drug’s active ingredient.
Ozempic, which contains semaglutide, is an injectable drug taken once a week and approved for type 2 diabetes. The same molecule, at a higher dose, is sold under the brand name Wegovy for the treatment of obesity.
Both drugs belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by mimicking a gut hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar. This mechanism has made semaglutide one of the world’s fastest-growing drugs and a popular subject on social media for weight loss.
In Kenya, both versions are priced beyond the reach of most patients.
Patent shift
The drug is manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which has built an extensive patent portfolio around semaglutide across dozens of countries. A patent acts as a legal barrier, preventing other manufacturers from producing and selling the same drug without permission.
The semaglutide molecule patent expired globally on March 20, 2026, prompting rapid generic entry across multiple markets, including South Africa, the continent’s largest pharmaceutical market.
Several Indian manufacturers, including Lupin, are already in the launch pipeline, with plans to sell both injectable and tablet forms of semaglutide in India and South Africa this year.
In India alone, more than 40 pharmaceutical companies launched generic versions within days of the patent expiry, selling them for as little as $14 (about Sh1,813) per week.
India supplies over half of Africa’s generic medicines, while South Africa serves as the main continental entry point, positioning Kenya as a likely next destination.
“We’ve cut the price of our branded Ozempic in India by 48 percent. Close to 50 trials and approximately 49 million patient-years of data differentiate our semaglutide from others on the market,” said Novo Nordisk.
“Our strategy is based on both reach and price to make this product accessible to more patients who need it by distributing it extensively across smaller cities,” said Alkem Laboratories, an Indian pharmaceutical company.
Access risks
Although the molecule patent has expired, Novo Nordisk holds separate patents on the injection pen device used to deliver the drug in 28 countries until 2033.
Generics entering markets such as Kenya are therefore likely to be supplied in vials requiring a syringe, rather than the pre-filled weekly pens commonly used by patients. This may require closer medical supervision.
The expected influx of cheaper generics also raises concerns over potential misuse, particularly as demand for semaglutide for weight loss has been driven by social media, with some users purchasing it without a prescription.
Last year, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) issued a safety alert warning against the unsupervised use of the drug, which had begun circulating through informal channels.
“The PPB has observed a concerning rise in off-label use for cosmetic weight loss, fuelled by social media trends and unauthorised sales. This practice bypasses crucial medical oversight, putting individuals at significant risk,” said PPB chief executive Dr Fred Siyoi.
The regulator listed hypoglycaemia, eye conditions, acid reflux and intestinal obstruction among the risks associated with unsupervised use.
Following an Interpol alert in July 2024, the PPB also warned against falsified Ozempic pens being smuggled into Kenya, cautioning that trading, distributing or dispensing such products is illegal and endangers public health.
