Eli Lilly & Co. has launched its anti-obesity drug Mounjaro in India, making it the country’s first treatment of its kind. The drug, which is used to treat obesity and type-2 diabetes, works by activating hormones that help reduce the amount of sugar in the blood and slow digestion. Mounjaro is priced at ₹3,500 to ₹4,375 per month, depending on the dosage.
The company has faced competition from other foreign pharma companies, with plans to introduce similar products in the growing market. However, Mounjaro’s unique pricing strategy, which is expected to be around 14,000-17,500 per month, makes it an attractive option for Indian patients.
The demand for GLP-1 drugs, which help reduce weight, has boomed, with the market expected to reach $100 billion by 2030. However, rival semaglutide (Ozempic) goes off-patent in 2026, and generics makers like Cipla, Dr Reddy’s, Lupin, Natco Pharma, Mankind Pharma, and Biocon are gearing up to launch cheaper generic copies.
Despite this, experts expect Mounjaro to be a hit in India, given the high demand for weight loss drugs. According to a senior diabetologist, a significant percentage of his patients are overweight, and the use of Mounjaro could lead to a 15-20% pickup in patients with type-2 diabetes.
In addition, the growing number of people with obesity in India, from 180 million in 2021 to 450 million by 2050, could lead to increased demand for weight loss drugs like Mounjaro. The market for GLP-1 drugs for patients with diabetes in India has already doubled to $3.6 billion in 2024, driven by unauthorized use of drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro through the grey market.