Semaglutide

Ozempic (ozempic)

Main article: Ozempic (ozempic)

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2025: Laboratories subordinate to the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation declared dangerous impurities in Russian preparations with the active substance semaglutide

The laboratory of the St. Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia has identified profanity in Russian preparations with the active substance semaglutide - analogues of Danish Ozempik. The researchers found violations in the drugs "Velgia" and "Quincent," produced by the company "Promomed." The results of the study were presented on August 20, 2025.

According to "Business Vector," in the drug "Velgiya" experts recorded a decrease in the content of the active substance semaglutide by 17.5% of the regulatory level. At the same time, an increased content of hydrophilic impurities was detected in the solution for subcutaneous administration. Similar impurities were detected in Quincenta at the standard content of the main component.

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Фото: Freepik

The head of the university laboratory Inna Terninko explained that the discovered impurities can accelerate the degradation of the drug and reduce its shelf life. According to her, the effectiveness of the dosage also becomes doubtful, since semaglutide at a dose of 2.4 milligrams provides a weight reduction of 5% in 80% of patients, and at a dosage of 1 milligrams, a positive result is observed only in 63% of patients.

Endocrinologist Elena Frolova described the identified disorders as a potential threat to the health of patients. The expert pointed out that impurities can have toxic effects and cause local reactions in the injection area, including erythema, swelling, itching and soreness. Systemic reactions of the body are also possible up to pseudoallergy, bronchospasm and anaphylaxis.

Some impurities have immunogenic properties and are able to provoke chronic allergic reactions over time. Elena Frolova noted the possibility of reducing the effect of the drug due to the formation of antibodies to the active substance.^[1]

2024: Growth in sales of drugs based on the active ingredient semaglutide by 28% to 2.3 billion rubles

The volume of purchases of drugs based on the active substance semaglutide, better known under the ozempik brand, in Russia by the end of 2024 increased by 28% and reached ₽2,3 billion. Such data are given in the study of the Tenderplan search and analytical system, published in April 2025.

According to Vedomosti, Tenderplan analyzes purchases from more than 300 electronic trading platforms carried out under the laws on the contract system in the field of procurement No. 44 and on the purchase of goods by legal entities No. 223. Despite a significant increase in monetary terms, the number of Ozempik analogues placed on public procurement sites slightly decreased over the year - by less than 2%, amounting to 373 purchases in 2024.

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Фото: Freepik

Analysts of Tenderplan also studied the internal documentation for tenders, where semaglutide was mentioned in large batches along with other drugs. In 2024, there were 1,490 such purchases totaling ₽11,2 billion, while in 2023 - 790 purchases worth ₽5,3 billion. However, the exact amount spent on drugs with semaglutide as part of these purchases cannot be determined.

According to the analytical company DSM Group, in 2024, sales of semaglutide in public procurement increased in physical terms by 68% to 166,500 packages, in monetary terms - by more than 2% to ₽785,2 million. The monetary data obtained by Tenderplan and DSM Group differ.

DSM Group CEO Sergei Shulyak explained that the growth in the volume of purchased drugs in physical terms was due to the emergence of more affordable generics. At the same time, he noted that Ozempik analogues purchased through public procurement are used exclusively for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.

Nikolai Bespalov, Development Director of the analytical company RNC Pharma, recalled that cheaper Ozempik generics have been purchased since the end of 2023. In his opinion, thanks to the emergence of Russian analogues in sufficient volume, doctors can prescribe the drug without fear of a possible shortage. Thus, the sales volume in the state segment is currently close to the real need of patients with diabetes mellitus.^[2]

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