12 Mar 2026 • The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), has issued a fresh advisory warning pharmaceutical companies against misleading promotion of prescription medicines used for obesity, particularly drugs in the GLP‑1 receptor agonists class.

CDSCO reiterated that direct or indirect advertising of prescription drugs is prohibited under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the accompanying Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

According to the advisory, promotional practices that exaggerate therapeutic claims, promise guaranteed weight loss, or downplay the role of lifestyle interventions such as diet and physical activity will be treated as misleading promotion. The regulator also emphasized that obesity should be managed as a chronic metabolic condition, requiring comprehensive care rather than reliance on pharmacotherapy alone.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers, importers, and marketing authorization holders have been directed to adhere strictly to ethical marketing standards, ensure that these medicines are prescribed only by registered medical practitioners, and maintain clear prescribing information, consumer grievance mechanisms, and risk management plans to support ongoing safety monitoring.

Source: The Hindu | Read full story