Sales of weight loss products in Russia increased sixfold in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. In monetary terms, there is an increase of 5.5 times, up to 5 billion rubles. In three months, Russian pharmaceutical companies have released 2.4 million packages of weight loss products, which is 10 times more than a year ago. Such data was presented at the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (TsRPT), the operator of the Honest Sign labeling system. Analysts of the system analyzed the demand for weight loss drugs based on semaglutide and tirzepatide, TASS reports.
According to their data, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the demand for such drugs increased by 30% in physical terms and by 28% in monetary terms. The CRPT added that Russian manufacturers fully meet domestic demand, and prices for local drugs are significantly lower than world prices.
The key growth factor was the introduction of the first Russian drug based on tirzepatide in January 2025. As the Promomed DM company explained, its production became possible thanks to compulsory licensing, which allowed domestic manufacturers to produce generic versions of Western drugs without the consent of the patent holders.
Experts predict further market growth. Its potential is also confirmed by sociological data. According to a study by the Federation of Pharmaceutical Workers published earlier, 80% of Russians have tried to lose weight in the last 2 years, 13.3% have used medications prescribed by a doctor, and another 30% are considering this possibility. Of those who received the therapy, 57% combined it with diet.
On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Peter Rodionov, director of the Russian pharmaceutical company Geropharm, said that 30 million Russians are overweight, which negatively affects life expectancy and quality of life.
He also proposed declaring 2026 the Year of the Fight against Obesity, recognizing the problem as a socially significant disease, as well as forming a national strategy and raising public awareness. According to him, a systematic, integrated and interagency approach is needed to achieve sustainable results.
