Zerodha's Nithin Kamath says India's response to affordable weight-loss drugs is 'weird'. Here's why | Tentagraph | Tentagraph

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Zerodha's Nithin Kamath says India's response to affordable weight-loss drugs is 'weird'. Here's why

LiveMint·June 26, 2026·1 update

Weight-loss drugs have emerged as one of the biggest healthcare trends worldwide, but India appears to be charting a different course.

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LiveMint·Friday, June 26, 2026

Zerodha's Nithin Kamath says India's response to affordable weight-loss drugs is 'weird'. Here's why

Despite obesity rates climbing and generic versions of GLP-1 medications becoming significantly more affordable, Indian consumers are not adopting these treatments as quickly as many expected.Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath recently highlighted the trend, saying he was surprised that sales of generic GLP-1 drugs had not taken off after patent expiries made them more accessible. His remarks came in response to a report by The Economic Times, which said that “homegrown drugmakers, which entered the generic semaglutide market with ambitious first-year revenue goals, are quietly paring sales targets.”Nithin Kamath Questions Slow Uptake Of GLP-1 Drugs In IndiaSharing his views on X, Mr Kamath said he had expected demand for generic GLP-1 medicines to surge once prices fell. According to him, these medicines now cost around

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₹1,000–2,500 a month, it's cheaper than a gym membership. The real problem seems to be retention. GLP-1s are injectables, and you have to keep taking them. If you stop, you gain back the lost weight. It seems like asking someone to stay on a weekly injection indefinitely is a much harder sell.A few other friction points:For a variety of reasons, Indians haven't taken to GLP-1s with the same enthusiasm as Western populations. Could it be because Indian physicians are conservative when it comes to prescribing newer drugs?Self-injecting is a pain for most people, and that friction and inertia might be stopping them from starting in the first place.Given that there are now GLP-1 pills, I'm wondering if the adoption curve will change."'Cheaper Than A Gym Membership,' Yet Sales Targets Are FallingAccording to Mr Kamath, pricing may not be the biggest obstacle. Instead, he believes the challenge lies in keeping patients on treatment over the long term.GLP-1 medicines, which are commonly prescribed for diabetes and weight management, generally require regular injections. Patients often need to continue taking the medication to sustain weight-loss benefits, as stopping treatment can result in regaining lost weight."It seems like asking someone to stay on a weekly injection indefinitely is a much harder sell," Mr Kamath observed.Conservative Prescribing And Weekly Injections May Be Holding Back AdoptionThe Zerodha co-founder also pointed to what he believes are other factors contributing to the slower adoption of GLP-1 drugs in India.One possibility, he suggested, is that doctors in India may be more cautious about prescribing newer medications than their counterparts in Western countries, limiting the number of patients starting these therapies.Mr Kamath also highlighted the inconvenience of self-administering injections as another potential barrier."Self-injecting is a pain for most people, and that friction and inertia might be stopping them from starting in the first place," he wrote.Could Weight-Loss Pills Change The Trend?Mr Kamath also wondered whether oral GLP-1 medications could encourage more people to opt for treatment. With pill-based alternatives becoming available, patients who are hesitant about weekly injections may find them more convenient.His comments come at a time when obesity rates continue to rise globally and studies are increasingly pointing to benefi

Zerodha's Nithin Kamath says India's response to affordable weight-loss drugs is 'weird'. Here's why

Zerodha's Nithin Kamath says India's response to affordable weight-loss drugs is 'weird'. Here's why

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Zerodha's Nithin Kamath says India's response to affordable weight-loss drugs is 'weird'. Here's why

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