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Semaglutide sales slow, Rs 100 Cr excess stock
22 Jun
Summary
- Excess semaglutide stock valued at Rs 100 crore is held by wholesalers.
- Sales growth for obesity therapies sharply declined in May.
- New generic semaglutide launches followed patent expiry.
The highly anticipated weight-loss and semaglutide therapy market has encountered an early challenge. Sluggish sales in May have led to fears of inventory-related losses, with industry sources estimating approximately Rs 100 crore of excess stock within the trade channel. Stockists and wholesalers are holding 50-60 days of inventory, exceeding the typical 30-45 days, and have halted new procurement until current stock levels are reduced.
The rapid growth observed in the Rs 2,000-crore obesity therapy market in April lost momentum in May. Month-on-month value growth slowed to 6%, with unit growth at 12%. This contrasts sharply with April's performance, which saw value growth of 50% and unit growth of 88% following the influx of cheaper generic semaglutide versions after the drug's patent expired on March 20.
Industry executives suggest that the moderation in sales might be partly due to government advisories and prescribing restrictions for GLP-1 therapies, which now require prescription only by qualified specialists. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly's weight-loss shot Mounjaro (tirzepatide) remained the top-selling therapy in May, with sales increasing by 12% to Rs 136 crore. Overall, the Rs 2.5 lakh crore organized pharma retail sector experienced nearly 11% growth during May, primarily driven by chronic therapies.
