Just when Gujaratis thought nothing could beat their love for farsan and festival feasts, along came a new obsession, pharma-approved fat loss. There’s a growing buzz around anti-obesity drugs like Tirzepatide.
But behind the viral weight-loss stories lies a serious shift in the state’s health and pharma scene and some equally weighty market numbers.
According to a national newspaper Tirzepatide has stunned the Indian pharmaceutical industry by rising to the second position in national sales within six months of launch. Along with four other new-generation molecules, it is fuelling the anti-obesity trend in Gujarat, which recorded a moving annual total (MAT) of Rs 61.2 crore as of September 2025, according to Pharmarack data.
Driven by these new molecules, the news report says, drug sales in the anti-obesity category have increased 4.5 times in four years, with MAT rising from Rs 11.25 crore in September 2021 to Rs 61.2 crore in September 2025.
The report adds that the launches of Semaglutide in January 2022 and Tirzepatide in March 2025 has been the game-changer.
Pricing, no barrier
Industry observers have revealed to the media house that anti-obesity drugs are gaining strong momentum across India, signalling a shift in public health behaviour.
Medical intervention for weight loss is becoming increasingly acceptable and aspirational. The trend is also supported by the early onset of cardio-diabetic conditions, which is extending treatment duration. Major Indian pharmaceutical companies such as Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Sun Pharma, and Biocon are moving swiftly to capture this emerging market.
Experts also point out that pricing has not been a major barrier. With local manufacturing and competitive entries, these drugs are becoming more affordable for Indian consumers.
Proactive treatment
In Gujarat, doctors report a visible increase in patient enquiries and prescriptions for anti-obesity medications, especially in urban centres. Awareness about such medicines has grown substantially, with many patients now requesting to begin treatment proactively.
According to medical guidelines, these drugs are prescribed only to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) above 30, or between 27 and 30 if there are related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, or sleep apnoea.
Physicians observe that roughly four out of every 10 OPD patients now visit clinics either for weight-loss consultations or for managing metabolic conditions alongside weight reduction.
The typical age group for such treatment ranges between 18 and 60 years, though most users are in their 30s and 40s due to the cost factor. While some patients experience rapid weight loss (up to 10 kg per month) doctors recommend a steady target of 2–3 kg per month under supervision.
The report highlighted a case of an Ahmedabad-based diabetic patient who was prescribed Tirzepatide as an alternative to insulin after conventional therapy failed to control his HbA1c levels. Within two months, he lost around 10 kg, and the treatment has since been extended under medical monitoring.
No quick fix
However, specialists caution against the growing “quick-fix” attitude amplified by social media trends. There is rising concern over people seeking rapid slimming for social occasions without medical oversight. Unsupervised use, they warn, could lead to complications such as osteoporosis and kidney damage due to nutritional loss. Experts stress that effective weight management requires a combination of medical supervision, diet regulation, and lifestyle changes.
Part of the demand is also influenced by global trends and social media narratives, where drugs like Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) are being portrayed as lifestyle enhancers rather than medical treatments. Despite such perceptions, the underlying data reflects a clear and significant market shift, both in consumption patterns and in India’s evolving approach to weight management.
Also Read: Indian pharma cos cashing in on weight-loss medicine industry https://www.vibesofindia.com/indian-pharma-cos-cashing-in-on-weight-loss-medicine-industry/
