Weight-loss drugs are becoming a lucrative business in China | Health News

Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, known as the “internet celebrity weight-loss drug” in China, has seen a surge in demand, with sales doubling to nearly $700 million last year. The drug, approved in China in 2021, contains an anti-obesity ingredient called semaglutide, which has fueled its popularity among those seeking to lose weight.

Chinese influencers and vloggers have promoted Ozempic on social media platforms, where beauty challenges emphasizing thinness have gained traction. This reflects the beauty standards in China, where being thin is considered the ideal.

With half of the Chinese population overweight or obese, the market for weight-loss drugs is booming. Pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are vying for a share of this lucrative market, with plans to expand their offerings and gain approval for weight-loss-specific drugs.

However, the demand for weight-loss drugs has outstripped supply, leading to a rise in counterfeit products on the market. Chinese authorities have cracked down on unregulated products and off-label use of Ozempic, signaling a shift towards tighter regulation in the industry.

As the market for weight-loss drugs in China continues to grow, the competition between foreign and domestic companies intensifies. A patent dispute between Novo Nordisk and Huadong Medicine, a Chinese pharmaceutical giant, highlights the challenges faced by foreign firms in the Chinese market.

The outcome of this dispute and the Chinese authorities’ involvement in regulating the weight-loss market will be crucial in determining the future landscape of the industry. As China opens up to foreign investment, the question remains: will the playing field be leveled for all companies, or will domestic firms continue to enjoy preferential treatment?