Anti-Obesity Medication Market Size, Share, By Drug Type, Mechanism of Action, Distribution Channel, and Region - Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2035

• The anti-obesity medication market size is expected to grow at USD 105.3 billion by 2035.
• The target market was worth USD 8.5 billion in 2024.
• Target market is expanding at a CAGR of 31.8%.

Anti-obesity medication, also known as weight loss medications, are pharmacological agents that reduce or control excess body fat. Target market is driven by the increasing cases of obesity, rising awareness of the health consequences associated with being overweight. In addition, rising R&D activities for development of anti-obesity drugs, and increasing investment in R&D sectors are another factors propelling growth of the global market. Furthermore, technological advancements in drug development, which increases the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of production is also anticipated to create opportunities for growth of the global market over the forecast period.

Key Takeaways:

• North America held the largest share of the market in 2024 due to increasing cases of obesity.
• Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing market in the coming years. This is due to the rising government initiatives.

Key Drivers of Target Market:

Rising Cases of Obesity can Drive Market Expansion

The global obesity rate are rapidly rising. The surge in obesity rates creates a substantial unmet medical need for effective and safe weight management solutions. For that reason, anti-obesity drugs are in demand to get a grip on such a significant public health crisis.

• For instance, in March 2023, according to the data published by World Obesity Federation, more than half the global population will be living with overweight and obesity within 12 years if prevention, treatment, and support do not improve.
• For instance, according to the data published by WHO, in 2022, 2.5 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight, including over 890 million adults who were living with obesity. In 2022, an estimated 37 million children under the age of 5 years were overweight.

Restrains:

Severe Side Effects of Anti-Obesity Medication can Hamper Market Expansion

Anti-obesity medications are associated with tremendous variability in adverse effects, ranging from mild gastrointestinal disturbances to severe cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse events, which can limit the anti-obesity medication market growth. Additionally, it can also cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, heartburn, constipation, insomnia, increase in blood pressure, fast heart rate, and among others.

• For instance, in May 2024, a new U.S. study suggested that, medications, such as Wegovy & Ozempic, effective for rapid weight reduction, may come with the risk of uncommon yet serious side effects, including abdominal paralysis.
• For instance, according to the data published by National Library of Medicine in June 2023, Considering side effects of anti-obesity medications, the most reported included nausea and vomiting (71%), depression and mood swings (61.2%), diarrhea and constipation (51.6%), and drowsiness and headache (51.4%).
• Counterbalance Statements: One of the major solutions to this problem is companies need to integrated advance technologies such as AI for manufacturing process to lower the cost, as well as for better result, efficiency, and functionality, etc.

Opportunities & Market Trends:

New anti-obesity Drug Development

Opportunity embodied by a new generation of anti-obesity drugs with novel mechanisms of action and more robust efficacy, safety, and better tolerability profiles. While several compounds in development bear great promise, there remains a dire unmet need for new therapies that get at root causes of obesity to help patients achieve and maintain weight loss. In increased research and development, pharmaceutical companies can come up with breakthrough medications to serve the unmet needs of patients and health care providers.

For Instance, in December 2024, Eli Lilly, a U.S.-based pharmaceutical giant, plans to launch its drug, Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro, in the Indian market next year. Mounjaro, a weekly injectable drug by Eli Lilly for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, competes with another high-profile drug, Ozempic.

The market is segmented based on drug type, mechanism of action, distribution channel, and region. 

Drug Type

On the basis of drug type anti-obesity medication market is segmented into prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Prescription drugs dominate the target market growth due to availability, rising number of patient with obesity, regulatory approvals, investment in R&D, and among other factors.  

• For instance, in August 2024, Eli Lilly and Company announce Zepbound (tirzepatide) 2.5 mg and 5 mg single-dose vials are available for self-pay for patients with an on-label prescription, significantly expanding the supply of Zepbound in response to high demand. The single-dose vials are priced at a 50% or greater discount compared to the list price of all other incretin (GLP-1) medicines for obesity. 

Mechanism of Action

The anti-obesity medication market by mechanism of action is segmented into centrally acting drugs and peripherally acting drugs. The centrally acting drugs holds the largest anti-obesity medication market share of 85% due to their effectiveness in reducing appetite and increasing energy expenditure.

Distribution Channel

The anti-obesity medication market by distribution channel is segmented into retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies segment is expected to dominate the target market growth due to convenience, patient education & guidance, availability on e-pharmacy platform, cost effectiveness, and among others.

Regional

Geographically, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America: North America region is expected to dominate the growth of the market during forecast period due to very high level of obesity, ultra-sophisticated health infrastructure, potent pharmaceuticals, increasing R & D activities to develop new anti-obesity drugs, and among others.

• For instance, according to the data published by Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in September 2024, During August 2021 to August 2023, the prevalence of obesity in adults was 40.3%, with no significant differences between men and women. Obesity prevalence was higher in adults ages 40–59 than in ages 20–39 and 60 and older. The prevalence of severe obesity in adults was 9.4% and was higher in women than men for each age group.

Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific region is considered to be the fastest growing region in the target market as countries, such as India, China and many more are leading the charge significantly due to rising population with obesity, increasing awareness regarding health risk associated with obesity, high demand, unhealthy eating habits, and among others.

• For instance, according to the data published by Journal of Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology in June 2024, Australia has a relatively high prevalence of obesity, reaching 31.3%. 20.7%, 14.0% and 5.9% of people of Malay, Indian and Chinese ethnicity, respectively, were considered obese. The number of Chinese people with obesity was below 0.1 million in 1975, rising to 43.2 million in 2014, accounting for 16.3% of the global obesity burden. Similarly, the number of Indian people with obesity was 0.4 million in 1975, rising to 9.8 million in 2014.

Anti-Obesity Medication Market Report Scope:

Segmentation:

By Drug Type:

• Prescription Drugs
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs

By Mechanism of Action:

• Centrally Acting Drugs
• Peripherally Acting Drugs

By Distribution Channel:

• Retail Pharmacies
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

By Region:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Russia
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Netherlands
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

The key players operating in the Anti-obesity medication market include Novo Nordisk A/S, ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, GSK plc., Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Inc., and among Others. These key players focusing on different organic and inorganic strategies such as acquisition, merger, partnership, agreement, product launch and approval to expand their product portfolio and strengthen their market presence globally.

List of Key Players in the Market:

• Novo Nordisk A/S
• ELI LILLY AND COMPANY
• GSK plc.
• Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC
• Pfizer Inc.
• Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• KVK Tech, Inc.
• CHEPLAPHARM ARZNEIMITTEL GMBH
• Gelesis
• VIVUS LLC
• Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Lupin Ltd.
• Zydus Group
• BIOCON

• In November 2024, a recent study published in the JAMA Network Open, researchers evaluated changes in alcohol use among individuals enrolled in a telehealth weight management program after initiating antiobesity medication (AOM). AOMs, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), are effective for achieving significant weight loss. Notably, GLP-1 RAs have also been linked to reduced incidence and recurrence of alcohol use disorder, thus suggesting potential dual benefits of these medications.
•  In November 2024, The Biden administration plans to require Medicare and Medicaid to offer coverage of weight loss medications for people seeking obesity treatment. The new rule, which was proposed by the administration, would dramatically expand access to anti-obesity medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, from Novo Nordisk, and Mounjaro and Zepbound, from Eli Lilly.
• In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection for chronic weight management in adults with obesity (body mass index of 30 kilograms per square meter (kg/ m2) or greater) or overweight (body mass index of 27 kg/m2 or greater) with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol) for use, in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Analyst View:      

The industry for anti-obesity medication market is placed for substantial growth due to the increasing cases of obesity, rising awareness of the health consequences associated with being overweight, rising R&D activities for development of anti-obesity drugs, and increasing investment in R&D sectors. New innovations and development, advance technologies and many collaborations and partnerships helps to boost the growth of the market in upcoming years.

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