A widely popular drug for weight loss and type 2 diabetes in India, the recent launch of Maunjaro has criticized Milind Deora, a member of the Rajya Sabha, who questioned the increasing impact of Western drug solutions on India’s health scenario.

Taking into the social media platform X, Devora wrote, “First, the USA flooded India with sugar drinks and obesity-motivation lifestyle. Now, they are pushing ‘weight loss’ drugs to cure damage.”

While the introduction of the drug in India shows the increasing demand for weight management solutions between obesity and increase in diabetes rates, Deora’s statement highlights concerns about the widespread implications of Western drug interventions.

Deora called on high taxes on sugars products, banning children targeting advertisements, and encouraging fasting by stopping, raised discussion on preventive health measures vs. medical remedies.

He wrote, “India should increase tax on sugars, ban children targeting advertisements and promote fasting by stopping – a proven health solution that works for millions of people, including me,” he wrote.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a one-week-week injection drug developed by the US-based pharmaceutical giant Elli Lily that manages type 2 diabetes and AIDS in weight loss. It works by activating two major hormones: GIP and GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and control appetite.

It is prescribed for individuals with body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more and is used with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Mounjaro, in which the active ingredient is tirzepatide, has a monthly value of Rs 14,000 for the 2.5 mg (lowest dose) injection (Rs 3,500). It is also a single-graded vial that also comes in a high concentration of 5 mg, which costs Rs 4,375.

In one of the global studies, Maunjaro showed significant benefits. A study of 2,539 adults with obesity does not include medical problems related to excess weight and weight, which do not include diabetes, people who take up with diet and exercise experience adequate weight loss in 72 weeks than in 72 weeks.

In the highest dosage (15 mg), people who took average lost an average of 21.8 kg, while in the lowest dose (5 mg), people lost on average 15.4 kg (compared to 3.2 kg on placebo).

In addition, 3 out of 3 patients lead Maunjaro to the highest dose, which exceeds 26.3 kg (25% of body weight) compared to 1.5% on the placebo.

In another study, Maunjaro was tested with other diabetes drugs. The results showed that it helped in the level of low blood sugar (A1C) up to 2.4% in 40 weeks.

“Obesity and type 2 diabetes dual burden is emerging rapidly as a major public health challenge in India. Lily is committed to promote awareness and to cooperate with the government and industry to improve the prevention and management of these diseases. The launch of Munzaro demonstrated our shared support for this mission and our shared vision.”