INDIA’S health ministry warned Tuesday of the risks of unregulated use of weight-loss drugs, as low cost generic versions hit the market, stepping up inspections and enforcement across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The warning comes after patents on semaglutide — the active ingredient in drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy — expired on 20 March in India, the world’s largest supplier of generic medicines.
Generic versions of the GLP-1 drugs — referring to the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels and appetite — will slash costs and transform the global fight against obesity.
But the Ministry of Health stressed that the drugs can only be used with a doctor’s prescription.
“With the recent introduction of multiple generic variants of GLP-1… concerns have emerged regarding their on-demand availability through retail pharmacies, online platforms, wholesalers, and wellness clinics,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement. — AFP
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