Telangana DCA Issues Notices to 43 Medical Shops Over Weight Loss Drug Violations

The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has issued show-cause notices to 43 medical shops across the State after detecting widespread violations in the sale of weight loss medications during a special enforcement drive conducted on Friday.

The statewide inspections were launched in response to surging demand for weight loss formulations containing active ingredients such as Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. Officials focused on identifying the unauthorized sale of these drugs as well as checking for the presence of spurious and counterfeit versions in the market.

The enforcement drive covered brand-name medicines containing Tirzepatide, such as Mounjaro, and Semaglutide drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. Inspectors also examined generic equivalents of Semaglutide, such as multi-dose vials and pre-filled pens produced by various pharmaceutical companies that entered the market following the expiry of patents for the innovator formulations.

During the drive, regulatory officials identified multiple compliance failures across the inspected outlets. Key violations included the sale of prescription weight loss drugs without mandatory prescriptions from specialist medical practitioners, dispensing medicines in the absence of a registered pharmacist, and failing to issue bills to customers.

Inspectors also discovered that several pharmacies failed to maintain or produce required sales bills, purchase bills, and prescription drug registers. Discrepancies and irregularities in the maintenance of records for both sales and purchases were documented by the inspection teams.

The DCA confirmed that show-cause notices were served to all 43 medical shops found violating statutory norms. The regulator stated that further penal action would be initiated against the errant establishments under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

To curb illicit practices, the DCA urged the public to report the illegal sale, promotion, misuse, or suspected circulation of counterfeit weight loss medications. Citizens can lodge complaints via the regulator's toll-free number, 18005996969, which is operational between 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on working days.