Published Aug 15, 2026 | 3:04 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 15, 2026 | 3:04 PM
The raids were conducted across the state on 14 August amid increasing public demand for medicines containing Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. (Supplied)
Synopsis: The drugs covered by the operation included Mounjaro, which contains Tirzepatide, and Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, which contain Semaglutide. Officials also checked generic equivalents of Semaglutide, including multi-dose vials and pre-filled pens introduced into the market following the expiry of patents covering innovator Semaglutide formulations.
The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, has issued show-cause notices to 43 medical shops following a special enforcement drive targeting the sale of weight-loss drugs including Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus.
The raids were conducted across the state on 14 August amid increasing public demand for medicines containing Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. The drive focused on detecting spurious and counterfeit versions of these medicines and checking whether pharmacies were complying with rules governing their sale.
The drugs covered by the operation included Mounjaro, which contains Tirzepatide, and Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, which contain Semaglutide. Officials also checked generic equivalents of Semaglutide, including multi-dose vials and pre-filled pens introduced into the market following the expiry of patents covering innovator Semaglutide formulations.
The DCA said the inspections found violations at 43 medical shops. These included sale of the drugs without specialist prescriptions, failure to issue bills, non-maintenance or non-production of sales bills, failure to maintain prescription drug registers and dispensing prescription medicines in the absence of a Registered Pharmacist.
Officials also found shops unable to produce purchase bills and irregularities in maintaining copies of sales and purchase bills. Show-cause notices have been issued to all 43 shops, with further action to follow under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules made under it.
With weight-loss drugs gaining popularity, the Telangana DCA has warned consumers against using these medicines without medical supervision.
“Weight loss drugs such as Semaglutide formulations shall be used strictly under the prescription of specialists,” the DCA said in its advisory, specifying only endocrinologists and internal medicine specialists, and cardiologists can prescribe for certain approved indications as mentioned on the product label.
The department also issued a specific warning against using these medicines without professional guidance.
“The public is strongly advised not to self-medicate with such formulations for weight loss or any other purpose,” the advisory said, adding that improper or unsupervised use “may lead to serious health complications”.
The DCA said specialists should evaluate a patient’s medical history, existing health conditions and potential risk factors before prescribing the medicines, besides determining the appropriate dosage and duration of treatment.
The department has also cautioned consumers against purchasing weight-loss medicines from unregulated sources.
“These formulations shall be purchased only from licensed medical shops and only against a valid prescription issued by specialists,” the DCA said.
It further warned the public not to obtain weight-loss formulations through “unregulated online platforms, unauthorized sellers, or unlicensed channels”, noting that products obtained through such routes “may be spurious, substandard, or unsafe.”
The enforcement action comes as demand for newer weight-loss medicines has grown, raising concerns around unauthorised dispensing and the availability of counterfeit or substandard products.
The DCA said the violations found during the inspections were not limited to prescription-related issues but extended to documentation, pharmacy staffing and purchase records.
The department has asked members of the public to report suspected spurious or counterfeit weight-loss drugs, as well as instances of illegal sale, promotion or misuse.
Complaints can be made through the Telangana Drugs Control Administration’s toll-free number 1800-599-6969, which operates from 10:30 am to 5 pm on working days.
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(With inputs from Sumit Jha)
