India could soon get a lot thinner - at least in theory. On Friday, the patent on semaglutide - the molecule behind Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic - expires in the country. This will allow domestic pharmaceutical companies to release cheaper copies or generics, triggering a rush of competition that could slash prices by more than half and rapidly expand access for people in India, and eventually in other countries too. Investment bank Jefferies has called it a potential magic-pill moment for India, predicting the semaglutide market could eventually reach $1bn domestically with the right pricing and uptake. Analysts expect around 50 branded semaglutide generics to enter the market within months - a familiar pattern in India's fiercely competitive pharmaceutical industry. India's pharmaceutical industry is expected to double by 2030, enhancing the available treatments for the country's 77 million people with type-2 diabetes and a growing number of overweight adults. While lower prices could transform the market, doctors and regulators emphasize the importance of quality control and responsible use of these medications. The government is taking steps to prevent the promotion of prescription weight-loss medicines directly to consumers and to ensure that treatments are pursued under medical supervision.