Metabolic medicine dominated the health headlines in 2025 — and looks set to do so again in 2026.
In 2025, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, a new class of medications, entered the Indian market. In March, Eli Lilly launched Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Novo Nordisk followed with Wegovy (semaglutide) in June. Within months, the conversation shifted from clinical promise to commercial success.
Despite limited uptake, these drugs vaulted into the top tier of India’s pharmaceutical market by value, ranking just behind GSK’s antibiotic Augmentin, according to industry estimates. The explanation lies in price — and in who is paying.
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GLP-1 drugs are largely funded out of pocket. Their early success signals something larger than a blockbuster launch: a change in patient behaviour. Indian consumers, accustomed to conservative management of chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes, are increasingly willing to pay for relatively expensive, long-term metabolic treatment. That willingness has turned a small patient base into a big market.
Source : Indianexpress
