The Drugs Control Administration Telangana (DCA Telangana), on March 24, 2026, issued a public advisory regarding the safe use of Semaglutide formulations following increased availability post patent expiry and rising demand for weight loss and Type 2 Diabetes management. The authority clarified that Semaglutide belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class and must be treated strictly as a prescription-only medicine.
The advisory mandates that Semaglutide formulations should only be used under the supervision of qualified specialists such as endocrinologists or internal medicine practitioners (and cardiologists for specific indications). It strongly discourages self-medication and warns that improper use may lead to serious health complications, including pancreatitis, kidney injury, gastrointestinal issues, and gall bladder disease. Physicians are required to assess patient history, risk factors, and determine appropriate dosage and treatment duration before prescribing.
Further, the public has been advised to purchase such medicines only from licensed pharmacies against valid prescriptions and avoid unregulated online sources due to risks of counterfeit or unsafe products. Manufacturers have also been prohibited from indirect or surrogate advertising that may promote misuse. The authority urged reporting of illegal sale or misuse and emphasized cautious, medically supervised use to protect public health.
[Advisory Date: 24-03-2026]
