India: Doctors report surge in use of off label GLP-1 agonists among rich

Doctors in India are urging the government to take action to ensure that glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists are used appropriately and that patient safety is prioritised amid a surge in demand for the weight loss drugs among a rich and increasingly obese population.Drugs such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) cannot be sold directly to consumers in India, but unauthorised pharmacies and other outlets have stepped in to supply a growing clientele. A month’s supply costs around $1000 (£774; €919) from overseas, which includes expenses for cold storage, shipping, customs, and tax.The market for GLP-1 drugs for patients with diabetes in India has more than doubled in the past year from $1.5bn in 2023 to $3.6bn in 2024, according to market analyst Pharmarack. India’s weight management market is predicted to be worth $52.3bn by 2032, up from $23bn in 2023.India had over 100 million people with diabetes in 20211 and…
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