Biosimilar Semaglutide Shows 6.9-13.3% Weight Loss in Pakistani Real-World Study | Research

The takeaway

Non-comparable biotherapeutic (NCB) semaglutide achieved 6.9% and 13.3% weight loss at 12 and 24 weeks in 87 Pakistani obesity patients, with 59.4% experiencing any side effects and 9.9% major adverse effects.

13.3% at 24 weeks
Locally available NCB semaglutide achieved meaningful weight loss in Pakistani patients, supporting access to GLP-1 therapy in resource-limited settings

What the researchers found

NCB semaglutide: 6.9% weight loss at 12 weeks, 13.3% at 24 weeks; 74.7% on 0.5 mg dose; any AEs 59.4%; major AEs 9.9%; 14.6% lost to follow-up; 1 death.

Why it matters

Access to GLP-1 drugs in low/middle-income countries depends on affordable alternatives. Real-world effectiveness data is essential for guiding their use.

How the study worked

Retrospective observational study across 3 urban private practices, 87 obesity patients, variable NCB semaglutide doses, follow-up data for up to 24 weeks.

What this study cannot tell us

Uncontrolled, retrospective. Small sample. High loss to follow-up. NCB quality may vary. One death of uncertain relation to treatment. Mostly 0.5 mg dose (lower than standard).

How to read the evidence

Small uncontrolled retrospective study. Provides initial real-world data for NCB semaglutide but limited by design.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

NCB semaglutides are expanding GLP-1 drug access in countries where branded versions are unaffordable, but quality and efficacy monitoring is essential.

Questions still open

How does NCB semaglutide quality compare to the branded product?
Would higher doses produce greater weight loss with acceptable safety?
Should regulatory oversight of NCB semaglutides be strengthened?

Common questions

What is NCB semaglutide?

Non-comparable biotherapeutic semaglutide is a locally produced version of the branded drug, made available in countries where the original is too expensive. It is not a formal biosimilar but a local alternative.

Does it work as well as branded Ozempic?

This study showed 13.3% weight loss at 24 weeks, which is promising but lower than branded semaglutide clinical trial results (which used higher doses). More data is needed for definitive comparison.

Read the original research

Weight-Reduction and Safety Profile of Once-Weekly Non-Comparable Biotherapeutic Subcutaneous Semaglutide Among People With Obesity: A Real-World Retrospective Study.

Health science reports, 9(1), e71745

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Hasan, Md Rakibul; Shil, Kishore Kumar; Shahed-Morshed, Md. (2026). Weight-Reduction and Safety Profile of Once-Weekly Non-Comparable Biotherapeutic Subcutaneous Semaglutide Among People With Obesity: A Real-World Retrospective Study.. Health science reports, 9(1), e71745. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71745