On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, Wegovy, the world’s first anti-obesity drug enters India as a once-a-week, self-injectable medication. This drug is second to enter India and is followed by Mounjara from Eli Lilly in April 2025. The target audience is 254 million Indians who could be considered as obese.
Chemically, Wegovy (Navo Nordisk) is semaglutide, an antidiabetic medication used to treat type II diabetes. It is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP1 RA). It affects the key areas of brain, reduces hunger, and induces satiety, thus resulting in weight loss.
Mounjaro (Eli Lilly) works by activating GLP1 and GIP to increase the levels of incretins (hormones) in the body. It stimulates more insulin production when needed.
India has the third largest population with obesity. Wegovy reduces 20 per cent or more weight in at least 1 in three individuals when used along with lifestyle medications. It reduces 20 per cent cardiovascular events. Its side effects are gallstones, pancreatitis, nausea and vomiting.
The price of Wegovy 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg is Rs. 17,345 per month. The cost could affect long term adherence.
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