CDSCO Orders Strict Action Against Illegal Sale, Promotion of GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs

New Delhi: In a major regulatory move aimed at curbing illegal distribution and misleading promotion of GLP-1 based weight loss drugs, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has instructed all State and Union Territory Drug Controllers to strengthen enforcement and monitoring across the entire supply chain of such products.

In an official communication issued by the Enforcement & Intelligence Cell of CDSCO under the Directorate General of Health Services, the national drug regulator stated that it has recently undertaken a nationwide enforcement drive in coordination with State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) against illegal distribution channels, non-compliant dispensing practices, and misuse of GLP-1 based drugs marketed for weight loss purposes.

The order, issued from FDA Bhawan, New Delhi, and signed by Drugs Controller General (India) Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, highlighted that audits and inspections were conducted across multiple regions covering online pharmacy warehouses, drug wholesalers, retail outlets, wellness centres, and slimming clinics.

According to CDSCO, notices have already been issued to entities found violating conditions related to permission and warning label requirements associated with these drugs. The regulator also referred to a press release issued earlier on March 24, 2026 in this regard.

The communication emphasized that State and Union Territory Drug Controllers must strengthen monitoring of the end-to-end supply chain of GLP-1 based weight loss drugs to ensure strict compliance with approved indications and labelling conditions.

CDSCO specifically instructed authorities to ensure that manufacture, import, distribution, retail and wholesale sale, as well as dispensing of these drugs, take place only through authorized channels and strictly in accordance with approved indications and labelling requirements.

The regulator warned that any diversion, leakage into unauthorized channels, promotional practices influencing supply chains, or non-adherence to approval conditions should be treated seriously and subjected to appropriate regulatory action.

Apart from supply chain monitoring, the drug regulator has also directed state authorities to actively monitor print, electronic, digital, social media, and outdoor advertising platforms for non-compliant advertisements or surrogate promotional activities related to GLP-1 drugs.

The advisory stated that suitable action should be initiated under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, along with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Rules framed thereunder, against manufacturers, importers, marketers, or any other entities found violating the law.

CDSCO further advised that, wherever required, enforcement coordination may also be carried out with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and other relevant agencies to strengthen action against misleading or unauthorized promotion.

Additionally, all State and UT Drug Controllers have been requested to issue advisories to stakeholders within their respective jurisdictions to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, related Rules, and directions issued by CDSCO.

To view the official notice, click the link below: