India’s Fortis Healthcare is set to expand its network of dedicated obesity clinics as demand surges for weight-loss therapies and drugs in the world’s most populous country.
The arrival of popular weight-loss medications such as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in India earlier this year has significantly raised public awareness. India is projected to have the world’s second-largest obese population by 2050. Sales of Mounjaro and Wegovy doubled within months of their launch in the country.
“We are witnessing a sharp rise in patient interest and demand for structured guidance on weight management and newer obesity-related therapies,” said Fortis Managing Director and Chief Executive, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi.
Fortis, partly owned by Malaysia’s IHH Healthcare (IHHH.KL), currently operates 28 hospitals and manages Gleneagles facilities in India. It has already launched five obesity clinics across Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with plans to establish 13 more clinics in Punjab, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Haryana within the next year.
The new obesity clinics will provide multidisciplinary care, with endocrinologists, weight-loss surgeons, nutritionists, dieticians, and psychologists designing personalized treatment programs.
According to Pharmarack, India’s obesity drug market has expanded fivefold since 2021, reaching 6.28 billion rupees ($71.16 million). Growth is expected to accelerate as generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s drug enter the market next year, offering more affordable options.
Fortis also plans to invest 7 billion rupees over the next four years to expand its hospital capacity in Bengaluru, Mumbai, the National Capital Region, and Punjab, targeting high-teens percentage revenue growth, Raghuvanshi added.