Zerodha founder and CEO Nithin Kamath has sparked a conversation on social media by describing weight-loss drugs like
and
as the “closest thing we’ve seen to a miracle drug.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamath highlighted the transformative potential of these medications, which were originally developed for diabetes management but have shown remarkable results in weight loss and other health benefits.
Ozempic and Mounjaro belong to a class of drugs known as
, which regulate blood sugar levels, reduce appetite, and curb cravings. Kamath noted that these drugs have helped patients lose
15-20% of their body weight
, making them a game-changer in addressing obesity and related health issues.
Kamath also pointed out the broader implications of these drugs, citing research that suggests they may reduce addictive tendencies, such as smoking and gambling, and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. “Even if half of what’s being reported is true, then this will be the closest thing we’ve seen to a miracle drug,” he wrote.
Kamath also speculated on the potential ripple effects of widespread adoption of these drugs, including changes in consumer behaviour and industry dynamics. He mentioned that reduced appetite could impact the food industry, while longer life expectancy might necessitate adjustments in insurance premiums and pension payouts. Despite their promise, Kamath acknowledged the challenges associated with these drugs, including their high cost—estimated at over ₹2 lakh annually for a typical dose—and the need for more research to understand their long-term effects.
Read Zerodha founder and CEO Nithin Kamath’s complete post here
I’ve been following the developments around Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs with some interest for a while, and last week Eli Lilly launched its variant, Mounjaro, in India. Remember, India has the highest number of diabetics, and if current trends hold, 30%+ of Indians will be obese. I don’t think we have a good understanding of the second-order effects of these
The obvious effect is that people can lose 15-20% of their weight, as long as they keep taking the drug. But I’ve also read that the drug can potentially reduce addictive tendencies and compulsive behaviors like alcoholism, smoking, gambling, and so on. There’s some evidence to show that these drugs can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and Alzheimer’s; improve mental health; and so on. I don’t know if all of these things are true, and it’s early days. But even if half of what’s being reported is true, then this will be the closest thing we’ve seen to a miracle drug.
So far, not many people are taking them; even in the US, only about 6% of the people are taking these drugs. With just this, FMCG companies like Walmart are saying that these drugs are affecting purchasing behavior. What would happen if more people started taking these drugs? We’ll have an across-the-board effect on every single industry.
People will eat less, smoke less, buy less, and live longer. They’ll also trade less?
Insurance premiums have to change, and annuity payouts in pensions will have to be readjusted. What we don’t know is more than what we know about these drugs at this point. Also, the patents on the active ingredient in this drug is expiring in 2026, which means, cheaper generics will be available. Is the world ready for this?