'GLP-1 made for US': Medanta founder Dr. Naresh Trehan explains risks for Indians using weight-loss drugs

India have launched a nationwide crackdown on the unauthorized sale of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, conducting inspections at 49 warehouses, retail outlets, and wellness centers. The intensified surveillance follows warnings from top medical practitioners, including Dr. Naresh Trehan, who highlighted that the recent patent expiry of these medications has triggered a surge in cheap, generic versions being sold without valid prescriptions. Authorities confirmed that the surge in demand, fueled by social media trends for rapid weight loss, has moved the regulator to ban surrogate advertising and propose strict limits on which medical specialists are authorized to prescribe the treatment.

Dr. Naresh Trehan on the Risks of GLP-1 drugs

Dr. Naresh Trehan stated that GLP-1 drugs were originally developed in the United States specifically for patients suffering from severe obesity combined with diabetes. He explained that the drug functions by affecting brain signals to suppress chronic hunger and delaying the process of stomach emptying. However, Dr. Trehan cautioned that these are not over-the-counter lifestyle products. He noted that the government has intensified surveillance because the drug has gone off-patent, leading to multiple Indian companies manufacturing generic versions at lower prices. Dr. Trehan emphasized that only trained specialists, such as endocrinologists, internal medicine physicians, and cardiologists, should monitor their use due to "serious side effects".

IMA Petitions for Restrictive Prescription Rights

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed formal concern regarding the "on-demand" availability of GLP-1 drugs through retail and online platforms. Speaking to ANI, IMA President Dr. Anil Kumar J. Nayak stated that the association will submit a memorandum to the government to restrict GLP-1 prescriptions to certified endocrinologists, diabetologists, or MDs in General Medicine. Dr. Nayak warned that using diabetes medication solely for weight loss without supervision is dangerous. He listed potential side effects including gastric trouble, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis, noting that in rare cases, misuse could lead to thyroid cancer or be fatal.

Nationwide Raids and Regulatory Crackdown

A series of inspections across 49 locations—including online pharmacy warehouses, wholesalers, and wellness clinics—has revealed significant gaps in the GLP-1 supply chain. Officials told the media that some entities were selling the drug without prescriptions or using questionable dispensing practices. The drug regulator has issued a formal warning to manufacturers against "surrogate advertising" and indirect promotions that encourage off-label use. Regulators reiterated that licenses could be cancelled and legal action initiated against clinics and pharmacies treating these regulated medicines as on-demand products.

GLP-1 Drugs in India

GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists were originally invented to mimic a hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying, making them a breakthrough for Type 2 diabetes management. They entered the Indian market as high-cost imported brands, but the recent expiration of key patents has allowed domestic pharmaceutical companies to release generic versions at a significant discount. While this has improved accessibility for chronic diabetic patients, it has simultaneously enabled the "off-label" use for weight loss among the general public. These drugs are currently approved in India only under strict medical conditions and are designated as prescription-only medications.

(With agency inputs)