Indian Online Marketplace IndiaMART Collaborates with Novo Nordisk to Curb Illegal Sales of Wegovy
HYDERABAD, India – Indian online marketplace IndiaMART has taken action to remove unauthorized listings of Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss drug Wegovy after engaging in discussions with the Danish drugmaker, according to a source familiar with the matter. The discussions, held in early October between Novo Nordisk’s India legal team and IndiaMART’s top executives, aimed to establish a framework for alerting the online marketplace about counterfeit listings in order to minimize illegal sales. While the exact number of listings removed has not been disclosed, dozens of them have been taken down after Novo Nordisk identified the sellers as lacking the trademark for Wegovy.
The demand for weight-loss drugs from Novo Nordisk has led to a surge in counterfeit versions worldwide. In response, Novo Nordisk’s global spokesperson stated that the company regularly looks for suspicious or illegal online sales and engages with platforms to prevent or respond to such offers. However, Novo Nordisk did not provide details on its specific efforts in India.
IndiaMART, one of India’s leading online marketplaces, has garnered attention for the presence of counterfeit goods on its platform. It allows dealers to sell products after a nominal background check, with minimal control over advertisements and sales. In fact, IndiaMART was named on the ‘Notorious Markets’ list for 2022 by a prominent U.S. government agency, highlighting the ongoing concerns regarding counterfeit goods on the platform.
A review conducted by Reuters uncovered numerous listings on IndiaMART between September and November that featured Wegovy, Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug Ozempic, and claims of copies of its active ingredient semaglutide by a Bangladesh-based firm. Although IndiaMART has removed many of these listings, some still remain on the website.
Wegovy, Ozempic, and other drugs like Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound belong to a class of therapies known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for controlling blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. These drugs also slow digestion, leading to a longer feeling of fullness in patients.
Importing and selling drugs approved in foreign countries is allowed in India, provided the original drug manufacturer’s partner in India obtains an import license from the country’s drug regulator. Novo Nordisk plans to officially launch Wegovy in India in 2026 after securing regulatory approvals. The law also allows the importation of drugs not formally approved by the Indian drug regulator for individual use, given the patients’ valid prescriptions and proof of identity.
Legally imported Wegovy costs around 1200 euros ($1,309), including shipping charges for a box containing three injection pens, according to Indian Pharma Network. However, on IndiaMART, a box claiming to be Wegovy is being sold for 18,000 Indian rupees ($216.50) and higher.
Wegovy and Ozempic, like their global counterparts, have gained popularity among India’s elite, including celebrities. Affluent Indians often acquire these drugs through local suppliers or friends visiting from abroad. The trend of using these drugs is popularized by the hype surrounding them, particularly among celebrities. However, owing to their high prices, only the affluent can afford them.
Novo Nordisk’s efforts to combat unauthorized sales of Wegovy in collaboration with IndiaMART demonstrate their commitment to curbing illegal activities. As demand for weight-loss drugs continues to rise, it is imperative that preventive measures be taken to protect consumers from counterfeit products.
