In a surprising twist, affluent Indians are turning to Western medications to combat weight gain, a phenomenon that has sparked debate and raised eyebrows.
The Rise of Western Drugs in India's Weight Loss Journey
When the weight loss drug Mounjaro hit the Indian market earlier this year, it quickly gained popularity among those seeking to shed excess pounds. Shyamanthak Kiran, a 27-year-old financial trader, was one of the early adopters. Despite his initial lack of expectations, Kiran's luck turned, and he successfully lost over 60 pounds in just six months.
But here's where it gets controversial: Indians are embracing drugs like Mounjaro, originally intended for diabetes treatment, to tackle weight loss. In a country known as the world's diabetes capital, this trend has caught the attention of both doctors and officials.
Mounjaro, an injectable medication from Eli Lilly, has become India's top-selling drug by value since its approval in March. With over $11 million in sales in October alone, it has outpaced expectations. Even before the approval of Ozempic, another widely used weight loss drug, there was a surge in demand for semaglutide, its active ingredient.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish manufacturer of Ozempic, is working to increase its availability in India, where it is approved for diabetes but not obesity. The company also produces other semaglutide drugs, such as Wegovy and Rybelsus, which are already used for weight loss.
The demand for these drugs is expected to grow further when the patent for semaglutide expires in India next March. As a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, India's companies are eager to produce generic versions of these lucrative weight loss medications.
This exploding popularity has taken some by surprise. Jitendra Singh, a government minister and physician, warned against the spread of misinformation through fad regimens, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle interventions like yoga.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, are GLP-1 agonists initially developed for diabetes treatment. They regulate blood sugar and slow stomach emptying, curbing hunger. In a country with over 100 million diabetics, nearly 10% of its adult population, and an additional 135 million prediabetics, the situation is dire.
Doctors attribute this worsening trend to India's growing middle class adopting Western lifestyles, consuming more high-fat, high-sugar foods, and exercising less.
"Compared to a decade ago, more people in their late 20s and early 30s are being diagnosed with diabetes," said Dr. Saurav Shishir Agrawal, an endocrinologist in Noida. "They ask for pills, but these work best with lifestyle changes."
Agrawal practices at Medanta Hospital, a modern, high-end facility in Delhi, where diabetes is prevalent. A monthly course of Mounjaro can cost as much as $250, a significant expense for many Indians. For the affluent, the idea of self-injection is a bigger deterrent, according to Dr. Tribhuvan Gulati, an endocrinologist.
"People get scared when told they need injectables," Gulati said. He keeps a demo pen of Mounjaro to demonstrate its ease of use.
However, this ease of use concerns doctors like Gulati, who believe many patients fail to address the underlying lifestyle and dietary issues causing obesity. Dr. Anoop Misra, chairman of the Fortis Centre for Diabetes, Obesity, and Cholesterol, stated, "Obesity in India is 90% lifestyle-related."
Misra attributed the imbalanced diet to the easy availability of food. The potential side effects of these weight loss drugs, which have led to lawsuits in the US, also cause hesitation among some patients, Gulati noted.
Diabetic patients like Moinak Pal, who has high insulin resistance, find GLP-1 drugs an easy way to lose weight. "I've been fat-shamed since childhood," said Pal, a 34-year-old journalist. He has been losing about 3 pounds a week since starting Mounjaro.
Misra pointed to the lifestyle in India's congested urban areas, where long commutes and convenient food delivery contribute to the problem. "Patients want quick fixes without restrictive diets or daily exercise. As a result, diabetes is widespread."
Rajendra Nath Dixit, a retired banker, takes responsibility for his health issues. He had heart bypass surgery and was spending $90 a month on insulin. Dixit has now switched to oral semaglutide Rybelsus, exercises more, and consumes less fat and sugar. While he spends $125 a month on Rybelsus, he has stopped using insulin.
"I feel great and light. My confidence has soared, and my life has changed," Dixit said.
This trend raises questions: Are these drugs a quick fix or a long-term solution? How can India address the root causes of obesity and diabetes? Share your thoughts in the comments; we'd love to hear your perspective on this controversial topic.
