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Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are significantly lowering prices of their blockbuster obesity drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro in China, a move aimed at expanding access in one of the world’s fastest-growing weight-loss markets and staying competitive amid rising local rivalry.
Novo Nordisk confirmed it has adjusted Wegovy prices in China, though it did not disclose specific figures. However, Chinese financial media outlet Yicai reported that list prices for the two highest doses of Wegovy were reduced by as much as 48% in certain provinces. According to the report, monthly prices dropped to about 987 yuan ($141) and 1,284 yuan, based on information from local procurement authorities. The reductions were reportedly implemented in southwestern provinces including Yunnan and Sichuan.
In a statement to Reuters, Novo Nordisk said the pricing adjustment is intended to help reduce the treatment burden for patients and improve quality of life. The Danish drugmaker is aggressively expanding its footprint in emerging markets as demand for obesity treatments accelerates globally.
Eli Lilly has not officially commented, but signs of price cuts for Mounjaro are already emerging. A hospital in Nanjing announced via its WeChat account that prices would fall starting January 1. Meanwhile, Meituan’s healthcare platform listed a 10mg Mounjaro injector pen at an estimated price of around 445 yuan, sharply down from about 2,180 yuan, signaling a substantial reduction.
China represents a massive growth opportunity, with more than 65% of its 1.4 billion population projected to be overweight or obese by 2030. However, competition is intensifying. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly face pressure from domestic drugmakers such as Innovent Biologics, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, and Hangzhou Jiuyuan Genetic Biopharmaceutical, which are developing rival weight-loss drugs.
Further competition looms as Novo’s patent on semaglutide, Wegovy’s active ingredient, is set to expire in China in 2026. The latest price cuts mirror similar moves in India and the United States, underscoring a broader shift toward affordability and cash-paying consumers in the global obesity drug market.
