India weighs tighter curbs on weight-loss drugs, as side-effects surface

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.India’s weight-loss frenzy is under the scanner, with the blockbuster drug semaglutide facing fresh scrutiny after hundreds of suspected complications were flagged, said two government officials in the know, with medical experts noting that about half the users report some side-effects. The ongoing review could lead to tighter norms, including label changes, safety warnings and stricter prescription rules.Amid the hype surrounding these glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors' efficacy for weight loss, the government has documented around 400 reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) potentially linked to the medication that is now being clinically evaluated, the officials said.

These reports have been documented since the drug's launch in India last year.The government collects data from healthcare professionals as well as direct consumer reports. This reporting of ADRs is being done through dedicated state-level monitoring centres that report to the Centre.The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), health ministry’s apex body responsible for setting drug standards, is evaluating these cases with reported side-effects, including gastrointestinal distress—severe nausea and persistent vomiting—and major dermatological issues.After its investigation, the commission will submit its findings to the apex drugs regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), for further action.The scrutiny follows the Centre's directive to states to ensure that this anti-obesity drug can be accessed only on only prescription by endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists and for some indications by cardiologists, as reported by Mint earlier.To be sure, semaglutide has been in use globally for