Demand for weight-loss drugs rises in smaller cities, with women a key group
Cheaper GLP-1 options and digital health services are driving demand for medical weight management in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, says a report.
The weight-loss market is no longer confined to the big metros. Cheaper GLP-1 alternatives and digital health services are now easily available, and demand for medical weight management has risen sharply in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
According to the report, demand among women for doctor-supervised treatment for weight, diabetes and metabolic problems appears to be growing.
Pharmaceutical data show that the GLP-1 agonist market in India reached about Rs 1,906 crore in May 2026, up from about Rs 565 crore a year earlier. The biggest reason for the sharp rise is said to be the arrival of lower-priced generic versions of semaglutide.
The Indian patent on semaglutide expired in March 2026. Several domestic companies then launched generic versions, and the cost of treatment has fallen considerably. Some generics cost far less than the original brand. Access to GLP-1-based treatment is therefore expected to widen in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as well.
The report says conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), insulin resistance and obesity could increase the need for weight management treatment among women.
GLP-1 drugs are not suitable for everyone, it says. They should be used only on a doctor's advice and under supervision. Experts also advise caution about using these drugs for cosmetic purposes and about their misuse.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are named as the leading drugs in this market. Their main uses are listed as treating Type 2 diabetes and medical weight management.
In Maharashtra, apart from Mumbai, the market could prove important for expanding health services and the availability of specialist doctors in cities such as Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Sambhajinagar and Kolhapur.
