Eli Lilly has launched Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in India, being the first top pharma major to bring out a GLP-1/GIP dual-action weight-loss and diabetes drug into the country. The move in advance of competition from rival Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy, which still has not hit the Indian shores, places Eli Lilly in an advantageous position given the country is fighting high instances of obesity as well as diabetes. Mounjaro’s entry could see treatment for millions significantly change.
Mounjaro: Pricing And Market Potential
Approved by India’s drug regulator, Mounjaro is delivered via a once-weekly injection with two price points:
- ₹3,500 ($40.54) per vial of 2.5 mg
- ₹4,375 ($50.67) per vial of 5 mg
- At 5 mg, patients should anticipate monthly expenses of approximately ₹16,000 ($200), well less than the U.S. list price of $1,086.37 per month although actual U.S. costs to American patients differ with insurance coverage. In spite of its cost effectiveness, healthcare analysts project strong demand for Mounjaro because of its efficacy in glycemic control as well as in weight loss.
Mechanism Of Action
“Mounjaro copies two significant hormones: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP),” Dr. Manisha Arora, Director of Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said to The Indian Express. The hormones regulate blood sugar levels, reduce hunger, and delay digestion, leading to extended satiety. As opposed to Ozempic (Semaglutide), which acts on only GLP-1 receptors, Mounjaro’s dual mechanism may have greater efficacy.
Possible Side Effects
Dr. Arora warned in The Indian Express that patients may have gastrointestinal side effects: “Common side effects are gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and acid reflux. In a few cases, profuse diarrhea can cause dehydration and acute kidney injury.” She also mentioned that sudden weight loss may have the potential to induce gallbladder-related issues such as gallstones and inflammation.
Proper Patient Profile
As per statements by Dr. Arora to The Indian Express, Mounjaro is indicated for:
- Type 2 diabetes adults in need of enhanced glycemic control.
- Individuals with overweight/obesity or those who cannot manage weight.
- Insulin-resistant patients who have failed to respond properly to other options.
The drug is, however, contraindicated for:
- Pregnant female patients and pediatrics
- Patients who have Type 1 diabetes
- Persons with a history of pancreatitis or thyroid malignancy (MEN2 syndrome)
- Patients with serious gastrointestinal disorders.
“Mounjaro is absolutely contraindicated in patients with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) syndrome,” Dr. Arora stressed to The Indian Express.
