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Wegovy Launches in India: A New Era in Obesity Treatment

Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical giant, has launched its weight loss drug Wegovy in India. The drug is based on semaglutide, a GLP-1 analogue, and is administered via weekly injections.


What is Wegovy?

  • Generic Name: Semaglutide

  • Form: Weekly injectable

  • Function: Suppresses appetite by mimicking GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone released after meals to signal fullness to the brain

  • Helps in weight loss by reducing food intake


Other Related Drugs

  • Mounjaro: Based on tirzepatide

    • Mimics GLP-1 and GIP (Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide)

    • Enhances insulin release and appetite regulation


Why It Matters

  • Rising obesity rates globally and in India have created a growing market for medically assisted weight loss.

  • Semaglutide was originally developed for Type-2 diabetes, now repurposed due to its appetite-reducing effects.

UPSC Relevance

  • GS Paper 2: Issues related to health, healthcare systems

  • GS Paper 3: Biotechnology in health sector

  • Important for understanding non-communicable diseases, medical advancements, and pharma sector trends


UPSC Prelims Question

Q. With reference to the recently launched drug Wegovy, consider the following statements:

  1. It is administered orally on a daily basis.

  2. The active ingredient in Wegovy mimics a natural hormone that helps suppress appetite.

  3. It was originally developed to treat cardiovascular diseases.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 2 only

B. 1 and 2 only

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3


✅ Answer: A. 2 only

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: Wegovy is administered via weekly injection, not orally.

  • Statement 2 is correct: It mimics GLP-1, which suppresses appetite.

  • Statement 3 is incorrect: It was originally developed for Type-2 diabetes, not cardiovascular diseases.


UPSC Mains Question (GS Paper 2)

Discuss the significance of new-generation weight loss drugs like Wegovy in addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases. What regulatory and ethical considerations should India keep in mind while promoting such treatments?


 
 
 

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