Govt warns GLP-1 weight loss drugs have serious side effects

The GLP-1-based weight loss drugs are prescription medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but carry serious side effects and must only be taken under the supervision of a qualified medical specialist, the Government said on Wednesday.

Highlighting that multiple variants of GLP-1 drugs have been recently introduced in the Indian market, and concerns have emerged regarding their on-demand availability through retail pharmacies, online platforms, wholesalers, and wellness clinics, the Government said the CDSCO has intensified its regulatory surveillance against its unauthorised sale and promotion and warned stricter inspections and surveillance will continue in the coming weeks.

“Businesses that break the rules will face license cancellation, fines, and legal action,” it said.

The GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are developed to treat both type 2 diabetes and obesity by correcting hormonal imbalance - stimulating insulin release and suppressing excess glucagon — to bring blood sugar back under control.

The drugs regulate blood sugar and appetite and are also used to treat obesity. Essentially, they slow down the gastric emptying, increasing the feeling of fullness. This decreases patients’ appetites and thereby leads to their weight loss, an official statement said.

To prevent unauthorised sale, unsupervised use, and other malpractices, the Drug Controller of India has intensified its regulatory surveillance, warning that the drugs can lead to serious side effects if not taken under strict medical supervision, it said.