Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro launch sparks surge in demand for weight-loss drug: report

The recent launch of Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drug Mounjaro in India has set off much interest, with hospitals, clinics, and weight management services reporting hundreds of inquiries within days, according to a Reuters survey.

A Reuters survey involving 18 doctors, patients, and clinic operators found that the US-based pharmaceutical firm has gained a head start over rivals such as Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which is preparing to introduce its own obesity drug, Wegovy, in India.

India is likely to be home to the world’s second-largest population of overweight or obese people by 2050, according to some estimates.

“Since the launch of Mounjaro, we have seen a remarkable increase in customer interest. In the last one week itself, I have had more than 200 enquiries,” said Suryansh Kumar, founder of Delhi-based weight management service Elevate Now, in a LinkedIn post.

Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru reported over a 20% increase in patient queries related to weight-loss medications.

Hyderabad-based bariatric surgeon Amar Vennapusa said he received more than 100 calls within two days of announcing Mounjaro’s availability.

“There needs to be wider awareness of usage,” Vennapusa said.

The drug has brought relief to Indian patients, who previously depended on informal networks or the black market to access such treatments.

Vikram, a 57-year-old medical professional from Bengaluru, said he had been sourcing Mounjaro from Dubai over the past eight months and lost over 23% of his body weight.

“It will be a lot more convenient to get it now,” he told Reuters.

Mounjaro, chemically known as tirzepatide, was initially approved for type 2 diabetes management and is now widely used off-label for weight loss due to its effectiveness in reducing body weight.

It mimics the effects of two hormones—glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)—to help control appetite and insulin levels.

In India, the drug is approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and is available in 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials, priced at Rs3,500 and Rs4,375, respectively.

For a month-long treatment, the cost can range between Rs14,000 and Rs17,500, depending on dosage. This amount is significantly lower than the about Rs93,000 monthly list price in the US.

Eli Lilly also offers Zepbound, another brand with the same active ingredient, in 5 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg doses, with prices starting at Rs42,791.

Novo Nordisk is reportedly accelerating its launch timeline for Wegovy in India to compete with Eli Lilly.