India’s Health Ministry has warned pharmaceutical companies against promoting prescription weight-loss drugs, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, to the general public. The advisory has been issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), reiterating that direct or indirect advertising of prescription medicines is prohibited under Indian law.
The regulator has cautioned that marketing practices such as influencer collaborations, celebrity endorsements, corporate campaigns or disease awareness initiatives that indirectly promote specific medications could attract regulatory scrutiny, as per media reports.
The CDSCO has reminded pharmaceutical firms that they must comply with the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs Rules, 1945, which prohibit the advertising of prescription drugs to consumers. The advisory has emphasised that any promotion exaggerating drug efficacy or promising guaranteed weight loss may be treated as misleading marketing.
The warning has specifically addressed GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes but increasingly prescribed globally for obesity management. Authorities have stated that prescription medicines must not be promoted directly or indirectly through advertisements in print, television, digital or social media.
According to the advisory, companies could face action if they promote prescription weight-loss drugs through advertising, use influencers or celebrities to create brand recall, run disease awareness campaigns that indirectly promote specific products, or publish marketing claims exaggerating benefits.
Health officials have also stressed that obesity is a chronic metabolic condition requiring comprehensive management and not solely medication. The government has reiterated that lifestyle measures such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity and behavioural interventions remain the foundation of obesity treatment.
The advisory has further reiterated that GLP-1 receptor agonists and other obesity medicines must only be prescribed by registered medical practitioners and used according to approved medical indications. These drugs work by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion.
The CDSCO has also directed manufacturers and marketing authorisation holders to follow ethical marketing practices. Companies have been asked to avoid targeting vulnerable populations seeking rapid weight loss, provide clear product information, maintain consumer complaint mechanisms and submit comprehensive risk management plans to ensure ongoing safety monitoring.
The advisory has come at a time when weight-loss drugs have gained global attention, particularly on social media and wellness platforms. The government has said the move is aimed at preventing misleading claims and protecting consumers from unsafe self-medication.
