Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide tablet, branded as Rybelsus, is becoming increasingly popular in India. The tablet, approved for treating diabetes and weight reduction, has seen sales more than double in the past year, reaching ₹363 crore in April. However, doctors have expressed concerns about the indiscriminate use of the drug and caution patients against it. Despite these concerns, the success of Rybelsus has led to a significant growth in the anti-obesity market in India, with sales of the drug reaching ₹363 crore in April this year. According to market researcher Pharmarack, the Indian market for anti-obesity drugs has tripled in the past two years, recovering from sluggish growth. Rybelsus, touted as a game-changer in treating Type 2 diabetes, was launched in India in 2022 in an oral form. The pill comes in three strengths – 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg – and is priced at around ₹10,000 per month. It has quickly gained popularity, contributing to the overall growth of the anti-obesity market. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, currently holds around 66% of the value market share in the anti-obesity segment, followed by Dapagliflozin, another medication for Type 2 diabetes. Pharmarack predicts that the sales growth of Semaglutide will continue in India due to the high obesity rate in the country. The prevalence of overweight individuals is currently close to 22% for males, 23% for females, and nearly 11% for children. Sheetal Sapale, vice president of commercial at Pharmarack, highlighted that these statistics indicate a growing adaptation of disease patterns associated with countries in the superpower bracket. As India continues to grow, it is also experiencing the impact of changing disease patterns and a greater need for effective treatments like Rybelsus.