Weight management demand in India climbs after 3% rise in obesity cases

Meanwhile, China has a growth rate of 0.12% for obesity cases.

Demand has heightened for awareness of weight management and fulfilment of obesity intervention in India after the projected rising cases of obesity, a report said.

According to GlobalData's Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center, obesity cases in India are estimated to rise from 27,295 in 2021 to 34,273 in 2031, making it the highest among the major markets in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

While China has an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.12%, India has a 2.56% AGR, representing a 21-fold growth within the market, compared to China's between 2021 and 2031.

With the adoption of modernised lifestyles, disorders and weight problems have become a more prominent health challenge in India, affecting diverse demographics.

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As a result, obesity medications have become increasingly popular, with Abbott’s Leptos (sibutramine hydrochloride) as the only approved anti-obesity medication in India seeing more exposure and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide injection) entering the market by 2025 and 2026, respectively. Additionally, the popular therapies Wegovy and Zepbound are projected to see a successful launch in the country.

“The introduction of the novel weight loss drugs will gain momentum in India and holds great significance, as it broadens the treatment options for obese patients who have access to limited approved therapies, offering hope to improve their health and well-being,” Srija Chilamula, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, said.