US pharma giant Eli Lilly plans to bring its obesity and diabetes drug Tirzepatide or Mounjaro, to India next year and has said it will price it “competitive and appropriate." According to news reports, the company has received marketing authorization from relevant authorities for both Type 2 diabetes and obesity indications.

“We aim to launch Tirzepatide in India by 2025, after obtaining other pending necessary regulatory approvals,” the spokesperson told Business Standard.

“While we have not finalized the pricing of Tirzepatide for India yet, Lilly is committed to ensuring that tirzepatide remains accessible to patients who need it. Our pricing strategy for tirzepatide in India will be competitive and appropriate, reflecting the efficacy of the medicine and the significant value it brings in reducing the overall health and economic burden of type 2 diabetes and obesity.”

According to experts, obesity is a chronic disease—a metabolic dysfunction that affects your body right down to the cellular level. While it is important to regularly exercise and eat a healthy meal, those steps alone do not completely help those with obesity achieve a healthy weight and lower their risk for other chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

And so, diabetes medications like Mounjaro have immense weight-loss effects.

Mounjaro is an injectable medication to treat type 2 diabetes and is available only by prescription. Experts say it works by targeting two hormones:

• GLP-1, which is released from your digestive tract, helps lower blood sugar and promotes a feeling of fullness.
• Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide—that stimulates the release of insulin.

Doctors say the medication changes how your body reacts to food. It makes you feel fuller faster and alters your blood sugar levels, making it an extremely powerful tool to manage both diabetes and obesity.

Even though it is primarily a diabetes medication, Mounjaro significantly helps lower weight in obese people. Many studies and research say that the medication is similar to another popular diabetes drug, Ozempic, which has become a rage across the world for its weight loss effects. Ozempic goes by the generic name semaglutide.

According to doctors, if you are looking to quickly lose weight for an event, Mounjaro should be avoided. But if you are living with diabetes or obesity, it is worth a try. Your doctor will also recommend diet and exercise in combination with the medication.

Also, since it is a long-term treatment, when you stop taking the medication, it is likely you will regain the lost weight. So, it is always best to discuss with the doctor who understands obesity about how these medications work and what you should expect.

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