The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has issued a public advisory cautioning against the unsupervised use of semaglutide formulations, amid rising demand for the drug for weight loss and Type-2 diabetes treatment following the expiry of the innovator product’s patent in March. The DCA has warned that the drug must be used under the strict supervision of a registered medical practitioner.

Semaglutide, a prescription-only medicine belonging to the class of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, is increasingly being sought after for its role in regulating blood sugar levels and aiding weight reduction. 

Complications from improper or unsupervised use

The advisory explicitly cautions the public against self-medication, stating that improper or unsupervised use of semaglutide can lead to serious health complications. These include acute pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, severe gastrointestinal reactions and gall bladder disease, among other adverse effects.

What do doctors assess?

The DCA said that qualified doctors are required to assess a patient’s medical history, existing conditions and risk factors before prescribing the drug, as well as determine the appropriate dosage and duration of treatment. The administration has also stressed that semaglutide formulations must be purchased only from licensed medical shops and strictly against a valid prescription.

The DCA further warned against procuring the drug through unregulated online platforms or unauthorised sellers, noting that such products could be spurious, substandard or unsafe. It has urged the public to report any instances of illegal sale, promotion or misuse of semaglutide formulations.

In addition, manufacturers were directed not to engage in surrogate advertising or indirect promotion that could mislead consumers or encourage off-label use.