Telangana cracks down on 43 pharmacies for selling weight-loss drugs without prescription
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has issued show-cause notices to 43 medical shops across the State for violations related to the sale of popular weight-loss drugs, including Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. The action followed a special enforcement drive conducted on Friday, August 14, 2026, amid growing demand for these formulations.
The inspections specifically targeted medicines containing Tirzepatide (such as Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (including Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), along with generic equivalents of Semaglutide. These generic versions, which include multi-dose vials and pre-filled pens manufactured by various companies, have entered the Indian market following the expiry of patents for the innovator Semaglutide formulations.
During the drive, officials uncovered multiple instances of non-compliance. These included the sale of drugs without a prescription from a specialist, failure to issue bills to customers, and the non-maintenance of sales bills and prescription drug registers. In several shops, medicines were dispensed in the absence of a registered pharmacist, while some shops failed to produce purchase bills or maintain proper copies of sales and purchase records.
The DCA said that all 43 shops have been issued show-cause notices, and further action will be taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules framed under it. The notices require the concerned pharmacies to explain why appropriate penal action should not be initiated against them.
The enforcement drive comes against the backdrop of a surge in the misuse of weight-loss drugs, which are often purchased without proper medical supervision. Medical experts caution that drugs like Tirzepatide and Semaglutide should only be used under the guidance of a qualified specialist, as they can have significant side effects and are not suitable for everyone.
The Telangana DCA has also urged the public to remain vigilant. Suspected spurious or counterfeit weight-loss drugs, as well as instances of their illegal sale, promotion or misuse, can be reported through the DCA's toll-free number 18005996969. The helpline operates from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on working days.
This crackdown is part of a broader regulatory effort to ensure that prescription-only medicines are dispensed responsibly. The sale of such drugs without a valid prescription not only violates the law but also poses serious health risks to consumers, who may unknowingly buy counterfeit or substandard products.
The DCA has reiterated its commitment to strict enforcement of drug regulations and has warned that repeat offenders will face stringent action, including the possibility of suspension or cancellation of their licences.
