On World Sarcopenia Day, observed annually on July 4, Pharmed Limited, a Bengaluru-based pharmaceutical company, secured a place in the Asia Book of Records after 10,451 doctors committed to screening and managing sarcopenia in elderly, chronic disease, and post-surgery patients. The record was announced on July 7, 2026, highlighting a major step in addressing age-related muscle loss across India.
Record-Breaking Pledge and Ceremony
The pledge represents a collective commitment from physicians across India to prioritize early detection and treatment of sarcopenia, a progressive condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength. The award ceremony took place at Pharmed's corporate office in Bengaluru, with Dr. Manohar KN, a renowned Consultant Physician and Diabetologist, as the guest of honor, alongside representatives from the Asia Book of Records and Pharmed executives.
Expert Insights on Sarcopenia's Impact
Dr. Manohar emphasized the under-recognition of sarcopenia, stating, "Sarcopenia is one of the most under-recognised yet clinically significant conditions affecting adults, particularly the elderly. While its impact on ageing, frailty, falls, fractures, and loss of independence is well established, its pivotal role in metabolic disease is only now coming into sharp focus." He added that skeletal muscle is increasingly viewed as an endocrine organ, making muscle health central to metabolic health, and that future treatments may target muscle preservation alongside blood sugar or weight control.
Pharmed's Mission and Director's Statement
Kashmiri Lal Kapoor, Director of Operations at Pharmed, said, "This record commitment from 10,451 doctors is not just a number; it represents a collective commitment to the health and independence of our ageing population. At Pharmed, we believe in driving meaningful change in healthcare. This initiative reflects our dedication to addressing critical, under-recognised health issues like sarcopenia."
Prevalence and Urgency in India
India faces a rapidly growing elderly demographic, with sarcopenia prevalence estimated between 14.2% and 39.2% in adults, according to the first Indian consensus on sarcopenia published in 2025. The condition affects roughly four out of ten older adults and three out of 100 young adults. Contributing factors include high diabetes rates, sedentary lifestyles, chronic inflammation, and poor nutrition, increasing risks of falls, prolonged hospital stays, and reduced quality of life. The consensus recommends screening for all patients with comorbidities, monitoring every three to six months, and combining resistance training with oral nutritional supplements for prevention and management.
Pharmed's Ongoing Initiatives
Pharmed is advancing sarcopenia management through evidence-based nutritional supplements and patient education programs such as the Care for Muscles initiative. The company collaborates with doctors to promote proper screening techniques, awareness, and exercise modules. This record marks a milestone in making muscle health screening routine for elderly, diabetic, and post-surgical patients, aiming to improve healthy ageing nationwide.
