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Indians Reject Weight-Loss Pills Amid Safety Worries, Prefer Traditional Paths as Obesity Drug Market Surges

According to a nationwide survey conducted among 1,000 adults across major cities, 87% of Indians believe it is important to learn about non-drug methods for managing weight, citing concerns over potential side effects and the sustainability of drug-based treatments.

• By Pooja Chaturvedi Sah
• New Delhi
• Jul 11, 2025

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While weight-loss injections like semaglutide and tirzepatide are making waves globally, a fresh survey reveals that Indian adults remain deeply skeptical of relying on medications for slimming down. Instead, they prefer traditional approaches such as healthy diets and exercise.

According to a nationwide survey conducted among 1,000 adults across major cities, 87% of Indians believe it is important to learn about non-drug methods for managing weight, citing concerns over potential side effects and the sustainability of drug-based treatments.

The survey confirmed that excess weight continues to challenge many Indians, with most respondents having attempted weight loss in the past. Their primary motivations include improving energy levels, lowering chronic disease risk, and enhancing mental health and self-esteem.

Low Awareness and High Concerns Around Anti-Obesity Drugs

Despite widespread media coverage of new anti-obesity drugs, knowledge about these medications remains low among Indians. Although 82% of those surveyed had heard of drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, only 18% could correctly describe how they work. Many mistakenly think the drugs directly burn fat or boost metabolism, rather than their actual function of reducing appetite and slowing stomach emptying.

Concerns about safety and side effects loom large. A significant portion of respondents said they were aware of possible issues like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and serious long-term risks including gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, and complications during pregnancy.

Beyond side effects, many respondents believe the media exaggerates the benefits of weight-loss drugs, with 65% feeling coverage is overly optimistic and 60% arguing that medication-based solutions receive disproportionate attention.

Weight Regain and High Dropout Rates Challenge Drug Efficacy

Even for those who start weight-loss medications, long-term success appears elusive. Studies cited in the survey indicate that 88% of users fail to reach a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) and remain overweight or obese despite treatment. Almost two-thirds of patients discontinue therapy within a year, driven by side effects, high costs, or lack of significant results. For many, stopping treatment often triggers rapid weight regain, making sustained progress difficult.

Health experts emphasize that sustainable weight loss in India may be better achieved through traditional strategies such as balanced diets, plant-based nutrition, and regular physical activity. These approaches are seen as safer, culturally acceptable, and more suitable for families, especially in a country where obesity often affects entire households rather than individuals alone.

Obesity a Growing Health Challenge for India

The survey results come against the backdrop of a rising obesity crisis in India. Studies indicate that the country ranks third globally in terms of the number of obese individuals, with obesity rates climbing steadily among both adults and children.

A recent analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute for Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), concluded that obesity in India often affects entire families, highlighting the need for community and household-level interventions rather than purely individual solutions.

Anti-Obesity Drug Market Booms Despite Public Caution

While many Indians remain wary of relying on pharmaceutical solutions for weight loss, the anti-obesity drug market in India is expanding at breakneck speed.

Market data indicates that India’s anti-obesity pharmaceutical market has surged to around ₹628 crore (approximately $75 million) as of mid-2025—a fivefold increase over the past five years. This translates to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46%, making anti-obesity treatments one of the fastest-growing therapeutic segments in India’s pharmaceutical sector.

Much of this growth is driven by GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide (sold as Wegovy and Rybelsus) and tirzepatide (marketed as Mounjaro). These drugs work by suppressing appetite and slowing digestion, helping patients lose significant amounts of weight when combined with lifestyle changes.

Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus, the oral form of semaglutide launched in India in January 2022, has rapidly risen from ₹26 crore to ₹412 crore in sales, capturing about 66% of the market. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide-based drug Mounjaro, introduced in March 2025, has achieved ₹50 crore in sales within a single quarter, reflecting rapid uptake among patients despite high costs and safety debates.

Wegovy, the injectable form of semaglutide launched in June 2025, sold nearly 1,800 units worth ₹2.53 crore in its initial weeks, suggesting there’s still strong interest in these therapies among certain patient groups.

Market projections suggest that India’s anti-obesity medication sector could grow from USD 183.4 million in 2023 to USD 2.6 billion by 2030, underscoring how lucrative the segment is becoming, despite ongoing patient skepticism and safety discussions.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation in India’s Obesity Fight

While pharmaceutical advances offer new hope for obesity management, India’s unique cultural and social landscape means that traditional health practices remain deeply ingrained. Many Indians continue to see diet, exercise, and natural lifestyle changes as more sustainable, safer paths to weight loss, particularly given the long-term health risks associated with drug-based approaches.

The surge in the obesity drug market highlights a stark contrast: even as companies pour investment into launching new treatments, a large share of India’s population remains hesitant to embrace pharmaceutical solutions, preferring instead to tackle weight issues through time-tested, non-drug methods.

This tension between modern medical breakthroughs and traditional health practices will likely shape the future of obesity treatment in India. For now, despite the billions being invested in new drugs, most Indians are choosing the familiar route of healthy living over pharmaceutical shortcuts.