How India's obesity drug market could boom after Mounjaro launch

It's not just for the celebrities anymore. The 'miracle' weight loss drug race has arrived in India with the launch of American drugmaker Eli Lilly's Mounjaro last week.

- Jessica Jani

Priced at ₹17,500 monthly for a 5mg dose, the drug has an early-mover advantage. But it's just the start. In the coming year, India will see launches from competitors, including generics priced 90-95% lower than this.

Weight loss treatments are set to change drastically with the introduction of these blockbuster medicines.

What are these 'miracle' weight-loss drugs?

Mounjaro, an injectable drug used to treat type-2 diabetes and obesity, was launched in India last week. Chemically known as Tirzepatide, it belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, which mimic the GLP-1 hormone to promote a feeling of fullness and regulate blood sugar.