Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy have become the world’s most talked-about injections but reports suggest that they are part miracle, part controversy. From Hollywood red carpets to Indian wellness clinics, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy drugs have transcended medical jargon to become pop-culture buzzwords but while the hype around rapid weight loss and “GLP-1” medications continues to grow, so do the questions, especially about what these drugs cost and whether they are really worth it.Recent research leaves little doubt about their effectiveness. The STEP-1 trial, published in 2021 in The New England Journal of Medicinefound that adults using once-weekly semaglutide (the compound behind Wegovy and Ozempic) lost significantly more weight than those on lifestyle changes alone for up to 15% of body weight over 68 weeks. The study cemented semaglutide’s reputation as a breakthrough in medical weight management.A year later, in 2022, the SURMOUNT-1 trial in NEJMraised the bar. Testing tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, researchers found average weight losses exceeding 20% in some participants, which was a level once seen only after bariatric surgery.
From LA to Bengaluru: Inside the Global Obsession With Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy
Then came the headline-maker in a May 2025 head-to-head trial in NEJM that directly comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide. The results showed that Tirzepatide delivered a greater average weight loss and waist reduction than semaglutide over 72 weeks. It is a scientific confirmation of what many doctors had already observed in their clinics that both drugs work but tirzepatide may work a little harder.
In India, Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy are expensive but not out of reach
There’s a huge difference between how much these medicines cost in India and the United States. In an interview with the Times of India, Dr Rajiv Kovil, Head of Diabetology and weight-loss expert at Zandra Healthcare and Co-Founder of Rang De Neela Initiative, shared, “In the US, because of insurance systems and high drug prices, people often end up paying close to $900–1,300 a month if they don’t have good coverage. Even with discounts, it’s still a big chunk of money every month.”He added, “In India, the situation is better but these are still premium treatments. Ozempic, when it gets launched in Dec 2025, will be priced around ₹10,000– per month, depending on the dose. Wegovy, which is the newer entrant, costs roughly ₹17,000–₹26,000 a month, again depending on which strength you’re using. Mounjaro has just entered the Indian market and is somewhere between ₹14,000–₹27,000 a month. So while the US prices can burn a hole in your pocket, in India they’re expensive — but not entirely out of reach for people seriously investing in long-term health.”
Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy Work Wonders But These Shots Come With a Catch: The Cost of Staying Slim
Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Manjunath Malige, Director – Dept. of Endocrinology at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, said, “India prices are substantially lower than typical US list prices, but both markets show variation by dose, pack, direct-to-consumer programs and savings cards. Manufacturer direct programs in the US also offer self-pay options around $499/month for uninsured patients (for several GLP-1 / obesity products). In India, Mounjaro and Wegovy launched with monthly price ranges far below typical US list prices.”
Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovyprice gap in India vs the US is real but so is the nuance
In the United States, retail list prices for these drugs have hovered near the $900–$1,300-a-month range. It is sometimes more without insurance but direct-to-consumer programs and savings cards have started offering self-pay options around $499/month, reflecting both intense demand and growing competition in the GLP-1 market.India’s pricing structure, while still premium, looks gentler by comparison. For Indian patients willing to invest in long-term metabolic health, these drugs are costly but not impossible. The price tags mirror their status as lifestyle-shaping, not just life-saving, treatments and medicines that promise control over appetite, blood sugar and self-image in one injection.
Beyond the numbers
Still, experts warn against seeing them as “magic shots.” The science is solid but the sustainability depends on continued use, medical supervision and lifestyle support. Affordability, whether $499 in the US or ₹17,000 in India, will continue to decide who truly gets access to this next generation of weight-loss therapy because in the end, the question is not just “Do they work?” It is “Who can afford to keep them working?”Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.
