American Drugmaker Eli Lilly on Thursday announced the launch its blockbuster drug Mounjaro in India beating its rival Novo Nordisk. Both the companies have seen skyrocketing global demand for their innovative weight-loss drugs.
Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro is a once-weekly injection approved by India’s drug regulator, is priced at 4,375 rupees ($50.67) for a 5 mg vial and 3,500 rupees ($40.54) for a 2.5 mg vial, its lowest doses. Subject to doctor’s prescription, a patient may have to spend about $200 a month when taking a weekly dose of 5 mg, Reuters reported.
Chemically known as tirzepatide, Mounjaro is currently sold in the UK and Europe under the same brand name for both diabetes and weight loss. It is sold as Zepbound for obesity in the United States.
India has about 101 million people living with diabetes and nearly half of these in the adult patients category are being inadequately treated with suboptimal glycemic control. Obesity, a chronic relapsing disease, is a major risk factor for diabetes, is linked to over 200 health complications, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. As of 2023, adult obesity prevalence in India stood at around 6.5%, affecting nearly 100 million people.
Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Chairman & Head – Endocrinology & Diabetes, Max Healthcare told Financial Express.com that obesity rates in India are rising at an alarming pace, fueling an increase in diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, fatty liver disease, and related conditions. “Managing obesity has become a significant challenge, and the ultimate solution lies in prevention. It is important to focus on promoting healthy eating habits from infancy through adulthood,” he explained.
Historically, anti-obesity drugs have been plagued by failures, often proving ineffective or unsustainable. However, a new class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists has shown remarkable promise, Dr. Mithal revealed.
“Originally developed for diabetes management, these drugs were later found to have profound weight-loss effects. Among them, semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro) have gained significant attention. I think they are a huge advancement, and it’s very good that they will now be accessible to the Indian public at a slightly more affordable price. Previously, patients had to obtain them from abroad, where they were very expensive. A large proportion of the urban middle class will now have access to this medication, which makes me optimistic,” he told Financial Express.com.
He also raised his concerned regarding the risk of misuse.
“…my only concern—and I have voiced this repeatedly—is the potential for misuse. Those considering these drugs should only take them under the supervision of an endocrinologist or physician. Do not make the mistake of using them as a cosmetic drug or casually purchasing and injecting them. Remember, these drugs will be available only by prescription,” Dr. Mithal warned.
Meanwhile, Dr Ashutosh Goyal, Senior Consultant- Endocrinologist, Paras Health Gurgram told Financial Express.com that it’s crucial that these therapies are integrated into holistic treatment plans that include lifestyle modifications, dietary guidance, and regular exercise.
“As diagnostic experts, we emphasize the importance of thorough patient evaluation, accurate diagnostics, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the safe and effective use of these medications. By combining cutting-edge pharmaceuticals with personalized care, we can strive to improve patient outcomes and mitigate the long-term health and economic impact of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Further research and awareness initiatives are essential to optimize the utilization of these drugs and promote overall health and well-being,” Dr. Goyal said.
According to the company, in a glucose-dependent manner, Mounjaro improves first phase and second phase insulin secretion, and reduces glucagon levels; it also improves insulin sensitivity and delays gastric emptying.
“GIP receptors and GLP-1 receptors are both expressed in important areas of the brain that regulate appetite. Mounjaro reduces food intake, body weight, and decreases fat mass by regulating appetite; moreover, Mounjaro® has been demonstrated to regulate lipid utilization. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has already had a tremendous impact on millions of people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity, respectively,” the company stated.