Anti-Obesity Drugs Market Expected to Reach $4,439.34 Million by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Anti-Obesity Drugs Market," The anti-obesity drugs market size was valued at $1,605.36 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach $4,439.34 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.7% from 2023 to 2032. 

Anti-obesity drugs are prescribed medications that aid in weight loss in obese or overweight people. These medicines reduce appetite, speed up metabolism, or prevent the body from absorbing fat from food. Anti-obesity drugs can be classified into three main categories according to their mode of action. These include drugs inhibiting intestinal fat absorption, drugs suppressing food intake and drugs increasing energy consumption.  

The key factors that drive the growth of the anti-obesity drugs market analysis are rise in prevalence of obesity that has led to a large patient population suffering from chronic and debilitating problems, which has surged the demand for the anti-obesity drugs to a great extent. For instance, according to the report published by the World Health Organization in March 2022, more than 1 billion people worldwide are obese, 650 million adults, 340 million adolescents and 39 million children.

Furthermore, surge in investments in R&D activities by pharmaceutical companies for the development of more effective anti-obesity drugs and increase in the demand for weight-loose medicine owing to rise in awareness among people about the health-related risk associated with obesity boost the growth of the anti-obesity drugs market share.  

However, the stringent regulatory compliance for the approval of anti-obesity drugs and potential side effects of anti-obesity drugs such as increased blood pressure and heart rate hamper the growth of the anti-obesity drugs market size. Conversely, rise in prevalence of obesity rate and increase in awareness regarding obesity treatment in emerging economies such as India, China, Mexico, and Brazil are anticipated to create new opportunities during the forecast period.    

On the basis of drug type, the anti-obesity drugs industry is segmented into prescription drugs, and over the counter drugs. In 2022, the prescription drugs segment accounted for the largest share of the market and is projected to exhibit the fastest market growth during the forecast period, owing to rise in the prevalence of obesity and increase in the number of anti-obesity drugs in the pipeline phase are the key factors that drive the growth of the market.   

However, over the counter anti-obesity drugs segment is expected to witness considerable market growth during the forecast period. Owing to rise in e-commerce facility, due to which it is now easier for consumers to purchase OTC anti-obesity drugs online, which has increased their accessibility and convenience.     

On the basis of mechanism of action, the anti-obesity drugs market share is segmented into centrally acting anti-obesity drugs and peripherally acting anti-obesity drugs. In 2022, the centrally acting anti-obesity drugs segment accounted for the largest share of the market and is projected to exhibit the fastest market growth during the forecast period, owing to rise in awareness among people regarding the availability of centrally acting anti-obesity drugs and increase in number of product approvals across the world.      

However, peripherally acting anti-obesity drugs segment is expected to witness considerable market growth during the forecast period. Owing to rise in awareness among people regarding the availability of peripherally acting anti-obesity drugs, as these drugs increase the dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin activity in the brain and can stimulate weight loss by reducing the appetite.     

On the basis of route of administration, the anti-obesity drugs market is segmented into oral route and subcutaneous route. In 2022, the oral route segment accounted for the largest share of the market and is projected to exhibit the fastest market growth during the forecast period, owing to the fact that oral medications are typically more cost-effective than other forms of administration, such as injections or infusions, which require more resources and equipment.    

However, the subcutaneous route segment is expected to witness considerable market growth during the forecast period. Owing to the fact that subcutaneous route provides better efficacy with reduced side effects.   

On the basis of distribution channel, the anti-obesity drugs market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies segment exhibited the highest growth in 2022 and is anticipated to lead during the forecast period owing to rise in prevalence of obesity and surge in demand for prescription based anti-obesity drugs.    

However, the retail pharmacies segment is expected to witness considerable market growth during the forecast period, owing to an increase in prevalence of obesity and obesity associated chronic disorders across the world.   

North America anti-obesity drugs market trends garnered the largest share in 2022, and is expected to continue this trend during the forecast period owing to rise in the prevalence of obesity, technological advancement in the development of anti-obesity drugs, and approval of several new drugs by the U.S. FDA in this region. For instance, in October 2022, the U.S. FDA granted Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) a fast-track designation for its use as a treatment for obesity. Mounjaro is a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist which is used for the treatment of adults with obesity, or overweight with weight-related comorbidities.   

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness growth at the highest rate during the anti-obesity drugs market forecast. There is an increase in the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region owing to a rise in prevalence of obesity due to the adoption of sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets. Furthermore, rise in awareness of health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as increase in demand for anti-obesity drugs in developing countries such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea contribute to the growth of the market.   

The key players that operate in the anti-obesity drugs industry are Currax Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Inc, Novo Nordisk A/S, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, KVK Tech Inc, CHEPLAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Gelesis Holdings, INC., VIVUS LLC, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.

Key findings of the study  

• By drug type, the prescription drugs segment was the highest contributor to the market in 2022.  

• By mechanism of action, the centrally acting anti-obesity drugs segment was the highest contributor to the market in 2022.  

• By route of administration, the oral route segment was the highest contributor to the market in 2022.  

• By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacies dominated the market in 2022 and are expected to remain dominant during the forecast period.  

• By region, North America garnered the largest revenue share in 2022, whereas Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.