India's anticipated boom in weight-loss drugs is not unfolding as many expected. Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath has highlighted a surprising slowdown in the adoption of generic GLP-1 drugs, despite their increasing affordability. This observation has prompted a cautionary response from Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who advocates for lifestyle changes as a primary approach for individuals who are neither diabetic nor clinically obese.
Weak Demand for GLP-1 Drugs in India
Nithin Kamath, sharing his insights on X, described India as a "weird market" regarding GLP-1 drug adoption. With obesity rates on the rise and generic GLP-1 medicines becoming available at significantly lower prices—around Rs 1,000-2,500 per month, often cheaper than gym memberships—Kamath had anticipated a surge in demand post-patent expiries. He also pointed to growing evidence suggesting benefits beyond weight loss, including improvements in cardiovascular, metabolic, and liver health.
However, Kamath reported that generic drugmakers have quietly reduced their sales targets by 25-30%, indicating that consumer demand has not met industry expectations.
Retention, Not Affordability, Proves Key Hurdle
Kamath suggests that affordability is no longer the primary obstacle. Instead, the challenge lies in patient retention. GLP-1 medicines are typically injectable therapies requiring continuous use, and many patients regain weight upon discontinuation. Convincing individuals to commit to indefinite weekly injections is proving far more difficult than anticipated.
Physician Conservatism and Injection Discomfort
Other factors contributing to the slow adoption include what Kamath believes is a more conservative approach by Indian doctors in prescribing newer medicines compared to their Western counterparts. Additionally, the discomfort associated with self-administering injections may deter many potential users from initiating treatment. Kamath speculates that the future availability of oral GLP-1 pills could significantly alter the adoption curve by removing this major barrier.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Urges Lifestyle-First Approach
Responding to Kamath's post, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw emphasized that GLP-1 drugs should not become the default choice for weight management among healthy individuals. "For those who are not diabetic or clinically obese, diet and exercise should be the first option," she wrote on X.
Concerns Over Long-Term Impact
Mazumdar-Shaw also raised important questions about the long-term impact of GLP-1 therapies, noting that they alter metabolic function and involve neurological signaling. She highlighted a lack of extensive long-term data on chronic GLP-1 use, suggesting that greater caution is warranted before widespread adoption, particularly among those without clinical obesity or diabetes.