Drugs Control Administration issues notices to 43 medical shops in Telangana over sale of weight loss drugs without prescription

The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has issued show-cause notices to 43 medical shops after detecting violations in the sale of weight loss drugs, including Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, during a special enforcement drive across the State on Friday (August 14, 2026).

The inspections were conducted amid growing demand for weight loss formulations containing Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. The drive also focused on detecting spurious and counterfeit versions of these medicines and violations in their sale.

During the inspections, officials found several instances of non-compliance including sale of the drugs without a prescription from a specialist, failures to issue bills, not maintaining or producing sales bills and prescription drug registers, dispensing prescription medicines in the absence of a registered pharmacist and failing to produce purchase bills. Irregularities in maintaining copies of sales and purchase bills were also detected.

The drive covered medicines containing Tirzepatide, such as Mounjaro, and Semaglutide formulations including Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. It also covered generic equivalents of Semaglutide, including multi-dose vials and pre-filled pens manufactured by various companies and introduced into the market following the expiry of patents for innovator Semaglutide formulations.

The DCA said show-cause notices had been issued to all 43 shops for violations and that further action would be taken as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Telangana DCA toll-free number

The Drugs Control Administration said suspected spurious or counterfeit weight-loss drugs, as well as instances of their illegal sale, promotion or misuse, can be reported through its toll-free number 18005996969, which operates from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on working days.