Leading doctors in India have raised alarms over the unregulated surge in weight loss injections, cautioning that they are not a 'magic pill' for the country's growing diabetes and obesity epidemic. Demand for drugs like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic has skyrocketed since their introduction to the Indian market this year.
Mounjaro, which regulates blood sugar and suppresses appetite, has become India's highest-selling drug within eight months of approval, overtaking antibiotics. Its manufacturer, Eli Lilly, is already trialling a similar pill form. Novo Nordisk has also launched Ozempic at a lower price, though costs remain prohibitive for many households.
Experts warn that the market could reach $150 billion annually by 2030, especially after patents expire next year, allowing domestic firms to produce cheaper versions. However, bariatric surgeon Mohit Bhandari stresses the need for strict regulation, citing risks such as muscle loss, pancreatitis, gallstones, and even blindness.
Bhandari criticises the easy availability of these jabs in gyms and beauty clinics, often prescribed by pharmacists or GPs with financial incentives. He calls for specialist-led programmes and rigorous patient screening to prevent complications on a massive scale.
India faces a severe health crisis, with 212 million diabetic adults and 180 million overweight or obese individuals in 2021, numbers expected to rise dramatically by 2050. While the drugs offer hope, doctors urge caution to avoid widespread harm.
