Eli Lilly’s Anti-Obesity Drug Mounjaro Becomes India’s Top-Selling Medicine in October; Here’s Why

Weight loss and diabetes therapy Mounjaro has become India’s top-selling drug by value in October, according to data, overtaking GSK's antibiotic Augmentin, as demand continues to surge. The US-based drugmaker's

popular injectable therapy raked in 1 billion rupees ($11.38 million) in October, according to research firm Pharmarack. That outpaced Augmentin sales of 800 million rupees last month. Mounjaro was launched in March, beating rival Novo Nordisk's Wegovy launch three months later, and has since generated a revenue of 3.33 billion rupees till the end of October, the firm said. Mounjaro's consumption in India by volume is at least ten times more than Wegovy in October, the firm said.

Why is Mounjaro so popular?

According to experts, Mounjaro, with a weight-loss efficacy of more than 20 per cent, has received a remarkable boost in sales, especially after the launch of its injectable Kwikpens two months back. Also, the GST reduction on medicines, from 18 to 5 per cent, has lowered the cost burden for chronic care patients. The cuts, which came into effect in late September, have further boosted the sales of Mounjaro. Experts believe that since an increasing number of people are now seeking treatment for obesity across the country, it has affected Mounjaro’s rocketing sales, apart from aggressive marketing and growing patient awareness.

How does Mounjaro work?

Mounjaro is a tirzepatide that acts as a dual agonist for two key gut hormones, GIP, or glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, to regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite. This unique dual-action mechanism makes it highly effective for treating type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss. Doctors say Mounjaro triggers the pancreas to release more insulin when your blood sugar levels are high, especially after eating. It also prevents your liver from releasing too much stored sugar into the bloodstream, which also helps keep blood sugar levels from rising. The drug slows digestion, which prevents a sharp spike in blood sugar after you eat and makes you feel fuller for longer.

Why is India a hotspot for weight loss drugs?

Doctors say a major reason behind Mounjaro’s roaring success in India is the growing number of obese and overweight people seeking redressal. A recent ICMR-INDIAB study revealed there are more than 250 million people with generalised obesity and 350 million with abdominal obesity – and the numbers continue to rise along with lifestyle-related metabolic diseases. Along with the surge in obesity, cases of type 2 diabetes have also found a home in India, with the second-highest number of adults living with the condition globally. More than 101 million people are currently diagnosed, and another 25 million are prediabetics, according to a 2021 report by the World Health Organisation.