As Semaglutide—the globally successful weight loss and diabetes drug—moves off patent in India, leading medical experts from Pune and Mumbai have issued a strong advisory: the medication is powerful, but not a shortcut.
Specialists across cardiology, endocrinology, and diabetology warned that sustainable weight loss depends on a structured combination of medication, diet, and exercise—not on Semaglutide alone.
They stressed that while the drug is clinically proven to support weight and blood sugar control, it must be prescribed only after careful patient evaluation and used under strict medical supervision. A valid prescription and ongoing monitoring, they said, are non-negotiable.
Doctors also flagged a growing concern—patients seeking Semaglutide as a rapid weight-loss solution despite not meeting eligibility criteria. Experts cautioned that such misuse could undermine outcomes, emphasizing that treatment must be embedded within a personalised plan that includes adequate nutrition and strength training to prevent muscle loss.
Adherence emerged as a critical issue. Long-term success, experts noted, hinges on sticking to prescribed schedules, proper dose escalation, and consistent follow-ups. Dropout rates—often linked to poorly managed side effects like nausea and early satiety—highlight the need for specialist oversight and patient counselling.
They also drew a sharp distinction between the original biologic version of Semaglutide and newer generic alternatives entering the market. They noted that the innovator drug is backed by nearly 50 clinical trials and over a decade of global use among more than 25 million patients—evidence that generics have yet to match.
Ultimately, doctors underscored that informed patients are key to better outcomes. Education around how Semaglutide fits into a broader health journey, they said, can significantly improve long-term results and quality of life.
Here’s what the medical experts had to opine:
Dr. Sanjay Agarwal – Diabetologist & Internal Medicine: "Obesity is a widespread issue in India, with 70% of the population affected in some form. While traditional methods like diet and exercise offered modest weight loss, they were insufficient for individuals with a BMI above 30.
"The advent of semaglutide provides a promising and affordable solution to bridge the treatment gap. By reducing weight, we can significantly lower the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer."
Dr Jagdish Hiremath – Cardiologist: "Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, and its management is critical in preventing cardiovascular issues. For patients without heart disease, addressing obesity early can help prevent future complications. In those with existing heart conditions, weight loss through treatments like semaglutide can help mitigate further risks.
"This drug has shown significant benefits in reducing weight, improving blood pressure, cholesterol, and even conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea and heart failure. Availability of therapies like Semaglutide represents a significant advancement in clinical practice and we are fortunate to offer such therapy to our patients. He noted that this is a vital drug for clinicians, enabling more effective management of obesity, metabolic disorders and cardiometabolic risk, and must be used with due precautions and counselling in order to provide maximum benefits safely"
Dr Rajiv Kovil – Diabetologist: "Semaglutide marks a significant breakthrough in our ability to address the root cause of obesity and diabetes—the wrong deposition of fat in organs like the liver, pancreas, and kidneys. With each percentage of fat reduction, we see a meaningful modification in disease outcomes.
"By reducing weight by 10-15%, we can improve conditions like fatty liver, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and even help patients reduce their medication requirements. This drug not only reduces weight but also offers substantial protection to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart."
Dr.Vaishali Deshmukh – Senior Endocrinologist: "Obesity is not merely a lifestyle issue but a disease affecting multiple organs in the body. We must focus on adipocyte or fat health similar to any organ health and metabolic evaluation must be done along with BMI and body composition assessment to understand the true impact of obesity.
"Semaglutide, when combined with lifestyle changes, can help manage weight more effectively, especially when traditional methods stop working or plateau down. It offers a powerful tool in addressing obesity and its related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and many more."
