Global pharma eyes India's obesity mkt, but weight-loss drugs face hurdles

India, grappling with a growing obesity epidemic, has caught the attention of pharmaceutical companies selling weight-loss drugs. Between 2025 and 2026, the country is set to witness the launch of major obesity drugs.

 

These drugs belong to a class known as glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. It gives the brain receptors the sense of fullness, and also slows the emptying of the stomach, thereby helping a person lose weight.

 

Leading global pharma companies, including US-based Eli Lilly and Denmark’s Novo Nordisk, are gearing up to introduce their drugs