The Article from
The Telegraph India highlights the actions taken by Indian Drug Regulator the Central
Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), on illegal sale and misuse of
weight-loss drugs like Semaglutide.
Semaglutide is a
medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and manage obesity by improving blood
sugar control, reducing cardiovascular risk (stroke, heart attack), and
inducing weight loss.
Issues of
unauthorized sales by entities without proper licences and improper
prescription were noted from 49 different entities.
Now, the patent of
the concerned drug, Semaglutide, expired on March 20, 2026, leading to launch
of low-cost generic versions. Doctors have flagged concerns due to the fact
that these are not normal supplements, but these are used for serious medical
treatments. Thus, they can be prescribed only by some specialists, else
improper intake may lead to serious health concerns.
OUR VIEW:
While the actions
taken by CDSCO are indeed laudable, a more impactful communication is needed -
ensuring that the general public is aware of the issues with taking the drugs
for weight loss purposes without having diabetes. We have seen abuse of semaglutide
across the world, where people not suffering from Type-II Diabetes are taking
the medicine for weight loss purposes. Cheaper versions of the drug are also
flooding the market since the patent on semaglutide expired and indicates the
potential abuse of the medicine. Maybe the CDSCO can also consider shifting the
category of the drug from Schedule H to Schedule X, making it harder for
retailers to sell without proper prescription and maintenance of records.
In another recent
case, CDSCO flagged
select batches of four drugs as spurious and listed 194
drugs and formulations as not of standard quality (NSQ) in its routine
surveillance for February 2026.
While the
Regulator's actions are appreciated, they should also take steps to ensure that
the names of medicines are disclosed, so that the general public does not buy
them or purchase them after proper consideration. This will reduce the chances
of any person being negatively affected by the medication, and in extreme
circumstances, prevent tragedies as we have seen before when children died in
Africa from consuming cough syrup produced by Indian pharma companies.
Effective communication from the Regulator is critical for warning the general
public.
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Related Article
Links:https://www.telegraphindia.com/amp/india/cdsco-flags-violations-in-weight-loss-drugs-market-amid-semaglutide-surge-india-prnt/cid/2153022
Links:https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/cdsco-flags-4-spurious-drugs-194-fail-quality-tests-feb-2026-126032301221_1.html
