Doctors, however, are of the view that while popular weight-loss medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, which Novo Nordisk is expected to bring to India, may be a boon in a country of more than 80 million obese people, their efficacy remains to be seen for the initial four-six months in terms of actual weight-loss benefits to Indians, possible weight regain once stopped and whether there are any side effects.
“These medications have become very popular in the west and there is a lot of hype around them, so many people in India have been waiting to try this out,” said Dr Neeraj Tulara, general medicines and infectious diseases specialist at LH Hiranandani Hospital at Powai, Mumbai. “Globally, there are many people who have lost a good amount of weight and there are significant numbers who have also stopped using. So, it will take about six months to tell if there is significant benefit on Indian patients or once it is stopped there is weight regain.” Besides, he said, “We have to see how patients tolerate the medication because the Indian profile is different compared to western patients.”
Dr Anurag Lila, visiting consultant endocrinologist at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Obesity is like a pandemic in India and diabetes is very common and it is one of the useful drugs. It has been well marketed abroad before it has come to India. Thousands of prescriptions have been there and clinical trials are also done. It is a good and useful molecule, so people were waiting in India for a long time and people are using it.”
According to a recent study published in Lancet, 70% of India’s urban population is classified as ‘obese’, or overweight.Aasim Maldar, consultant-endocrinologist and diabetologist at Mumbai’s PD Hinduja Hospital, said, “Tolerability level as of now to the drug is good but it will take at least four-six months to tell how beneficial it is and what is the extent of side effect on patients. The side effect profile, tolerance profile and also the affordability factor are things that have to be taken into consideration.” In India, Mounjaro is priced at ‘3,500 for a 2.5 mg vial and ‘4,375 for a 5 mg vial, which works out at ‘14,000-17,500 per month depending on the weekly dose. Doctors usually recommend a dose escalation to 5 mg after one month of starting the medication, depending on side effects.
Sheetal Sapale, vice president, commercial, PharmaTrac, said the initial tripling of sales may be an indicator of adherence to the once-a-week dosage schedule.
“A few more months of tracking of these products will give a clear idea about the increasing acceptance of the product among the eligible Indian population,” she said.
Studies on the effect of the drug in India -done in a few hospitals-so far suggest that the most common side effect is constipation, said doctors.
Other common side effects may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Currently, doctors are mostly prescribing Mounjaro to patients who are obese and have tried other means but not lost weight.
Many have spoken about the affordability of the drug in the price sensitive Indian market, where a six month treatment could cost about ‘1 lakh.
