Rapid Rise Weight-loss Drugs Fueling China's Booming Commercial Scene

06 Jun, 2024

Rapid Rise Weight-loss Drugs Fueling China's Booming Commercial Scene

Chinese pharmaceutical companies are swiftly entering the market with weight-loss drugs as the demand for Ozempic surges. In China, where obesity rates surpass those of any other nation, Ozempic has emerged as a lucrative commodity, particularly its anti-obesity component, semaglutide. Introduced in 2021 to combat diabetes, Ozempic has gained traction primarily as the "internet celebrity weight-loss drug" due to its efficacy in weight reduction.

Influential Chinese female figures on social media platforms actively promote Ozempic, contributing to its popularity among users seeking to achieve the societal standard of thinness.

The prevalence of "beauty challenges" on these platforms further reinforces the cultural preference for slimness, perpetuating the demand for weight-loss solutions. Pan Wang, a senior lecturer in Chinese and Asian studies at Australia’s University of New South Wales, underscores the societal pressure driving the surge in Ozempic usage, noting a willingness among individuals to experiment with various weight-loss methods despite potential health risks.

This pursuit extends beyond social media enthusiasts to a broader demographic in China, where approximately half of the population grapples with excess weight, highlighting the substantial market opportunity for weight-loss pharmaceuticals.