Demand for obesity drugs shoots up in India as Lilly, Novo jostle for market share
Sales of Lilly's Mounjaro, which launched in late March, doubled from May to June, reaching 87,986 units or 260 million rupees ($3.03 million), Pharmarack said in a virtual session. Between March and May, Lilly sold a total of 81,570 Mounjaro units in India.
Meanwhile, Novo sold 1,788 units of Wegovy in India since its late-June launch, Pharmarack said.
Incidence of obesity and diabetes is rising in India, the world's most populous country, which also ranks among the worst three globally for high obesity rates, according to a study published in the medical journal the Lancet.
The Indian obesity market has grown fivefold since 2021 and is valued at 6.28 billion rupees, according to the research firm.
Affordability and willingness to try new drugs for obesity have propelled the growth of the market, Pharmarack's Vice President (Commercial) Sheetal Sapale said.
Wegovy's active ingredient, semaglutide, dominates the market with a two-thirds share in India while Mounjaro's active ingredient, Tirzepatide, has captured 8% of the market, Pharmarack said.
As of June, the semaglutide market in India was valued at 4.12 billion rupees, and Tirzepatide at 500 million rupees, the research firm said.
Novo has sold oral versions of semaglutide for diabetes in India since 2022.
Semaglutide will lose patent protection in India in 2026, and generic drugmakers are aiming to produce cheaper versions of Wegovy as India becomes a key battleground for drugmakers seeking to grab a share of the global obesity market.
Novo and Lilly's drugs help control blood sugar and slow digestion, making users feel fuller for longer.
($1 = 85.9200 Indian rupees)
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The Independent
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I'm a personal trainer and I think it's time people faced the truth about weight-loss jabs
As a personal trainer, it's frightening to see weight-loss injections on our social media pages, in the headlines and in hush-hush conversations at gyms across the country. More 1.5 million people in the UK now use them, according to the latest estimates. For some, weight-loss injections can offer a lifeline, but for many, they are just so confusing. After 22 years of helping people lose weight and take back control of their health, without medication, I feel it's time I added my voice to the discussion. I certainly don't hide away from the fact that my weight has always been something I'm hugely conscious of and something that I have struggled with over the years. The childhood trauma brought on by bullying for being 'the fat kid' still haunts me and that inspired me to do what I do to this day. When I was 15, I started to become more self-conscious about my size. I knew something needed to change, so I took small steps to eat better and move more. Rugby, in particular, became my outlet and it not only helped me physically but also taught me the power of perseverance. There's no greater feeling than proving others wrong through hard work and dedication. That's been my life motto, and it's shaped everything I do. Losing weight was a personal victory for me, but the real reward came when I could use my own journey to help others find their strength and confidence too. Don't get me wrong, it's still a battle. But it's a battle worth fighting, especially with my family's history of strokes and heart disease. It's something I carry with me every day, driving me to make healthier choices for myself and inspiring others to do the same. So when talk of a jab that essentially helps you lose weight began, I could hear the chunky young lad inside of me whispering 'this could have stopped years of bullying'. But while these jabs might look like a miracle on the outside, I've seen too much to believe that's the whole story. I'm not naive enough to say it's impossible, but I can confidently say that none of my current team have ever considered using a weight-loss jab. The relationships we've built in this studio are rooted in trust. My clients know they can be open with me, and more importantly, they know that when they walk through our doors, we're focused on sustainable lifestyle changes, diet, movement, and mindset, not shortcuts. I'm not sure every personal trainer will agree with me when I say that I'm not 100 per cent against them. If someone is severely obese and facing serious health risks, and this helps them avoid surgery, I can see where the potential value in a (closely monitored) jab lies. I train many incredible nurses who work within the NHS. Over the last five years, these nurses have told me the increase in obesity- led health issues has risen exponentially. The strain on the NHS is incredibly real. So if the potential to cut obesity leads to a reduction in waiting lists (and not just for obesity-led issues), then again, of course, there is a value for these drugs. As a personal trainer, I understand that many people think we're all about aesthetics with our clients, but that's not true. I've seen obesity wreck people physically, emotionally, and mentally. It's not just 'extra weight' – it's the raft of potentially life-changing and threatening issues that can follow. There are numerous health risks linked to obesity. From increased risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer, to infertility and pregnancy complications, not to mention the impact being overweight can have on your mental health, with links to depression, anxiety and social isolation. I've witnessed first-hand the incredible impact that losing weight can have on someone's energy levels and confidence. It's nothing short of life-changing. When someone starts shedding the weight, they often experience a newfound sense of vitality, both physically and mentally. Their energy levels soar, allowing them to be more active, more present, and more engaged in everyday life. They start to feel more comfortable in their own skin, and that confidence radiates outward, positively affecting every aspect of their life from their relationships and career to their overall outlook on the world. It's truly transformative, and I've seen it time and time again. So, if someone offers a jab that promises a guaranteed fix, I can totally understand how tempting it would be. A young, naive and green version of myself would have thought wow! But as with everything in life, nothing is ever that simple or straightforward. In June, I asked 31 members at my studio to share their progress. These are real people, men and women, young and old, with busy lives and real struggles. Collectively, they've lost over 1,200lbs. No drugs. No injections. Just education, support, consistency, and graft. They didn't just lose inches either. By putting in the work, they became stronger, fitter and ultimately understood the real benefit of a consistent and sustainable lifestyle change. They started showing up differently in every part of their lives. Their energy levels and productivity at work rose, their moods lifted and more importantly, many issues with health improved dramatically. High blood pressure lowered, pre -diabetes was reversed and all without a 'miracle jab'. The idea that you can lose weight without exercising could lead more people to think they don't need to move anymore. And it's this shift in mindset that concerns me, especially when we see photos of people who've used these jabs and notice things like a gaunt or hollow face. Sure, rapid weight loss can cause these effects, but it's hard to say for sure whether it's from the jab or just the pace of the weight loss itself. 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