New Delhi, April 1 – The Controller General of Drugs in India has increased regulatory scrutiny against the unauthorized sale and promotion of drugs for type 2 diabetes, also known as GLP-1 drugs, the government said on Wednesday.
In recent weeks, 49 businesses across the country, including online pharmacy warehouses, drug wholesalers, retailers, and weight loss clinics, were audited and inspected, according to an official statement.
These inspections covered multiple regions across India and focused on identifying violations related to unauthorized sales, improper prescribing practices, and misleading marketing.
The government also issued notices to those found to be in violation of the rules. Stricter inspections and surveillance will continue in the coming weeks. Businesses that violate the rules will face license cancellation, fines, and legal action, the statement said.
The government also stated that only endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists, and cardiologists are authorized to prescribe these drugs.
On March 10, 2026, it issued an advisory directing manufacturers to cease misleading advertisements or any promotion that could encourage their use without a prescription.
GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, but they carry risks ranging from nausea and vomiting to severe complications such as pancreatitis, kidney injury, and bowel obstruction.
Due to these side effects, the government urged patients to consult qualified medical specialists and obtain these medications only with a prescription through legitimate, regulated channels.
Several variants of GLP-1 drugs have recently been introduced in the Indian market, and concerns have emerged regarding their availability through retail pharmacies, online platforms, wholesalers, and wellness clinics.
GLP-1 drugs (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) are medications that stimulate insulin release and suppress excess glucagon, to bring blood sugar back under control. GLP-1 triggers the pancreas to release insulin, which moves glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells, where it is used for energy.
The drug slows down the gastric emptying, increasing the feeling of fullness and decreases patients’ appetites and thereby leads to their weight loss.