LIGHTER AT THE END OF THE SCALE, Pg17.

Key Highlights:

• Mounjaro and Wegovy, new weight-loss drugs, have entered the Indian market in 2025.
• These drugs belong to the GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists class, mimicking natural hormones for weight control.
• Mounjaro sales reached Rs 80 crore in September, second only to Augmentin in value.
• Clinical trials showed Wegovy patients experienced an average of 15% weight loss.

Detailed Insights:

• GLP-1 receptor agonists were initially used for diabetes, with weight loss as a side effect, sometimes perceived negatively by patients.
• "Thin-fat" obesity, common in India, involves normal BMI but high visceral fat, increasing health risks.
• The long-term impact of these drugs on India's obesity rates depends on affordability and accessibility.
• AIIMS is conducting research to understand the effects of these drugs on cardiovascular and fatty liver diseases.
• Mounjaro is priced at Rs 3,500 for the 2.5 mg dose and Rs 4,375 for the 5 mg dose.
• Wegovy's lower-dose variants cost around Rs 17,345 monthly, while higher doses are priced at Rs 24,280 to Rs 26,015 per month.

Key Concepts Involved:

• GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists: Drugs mimicking natural hormones to regulate blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
• Visceral Fat: Dangerous fat around the organs, even in individuals with a normal BMI.
• Off-label prescription: The use of a drug for a condition that it is not officially approved to treat.