Public Advisory on Use of Semaglutide Formulations

HYDERABAD, MARCH 24, 2026: The Drugs Control Administration, Telangana issues the following Public Advisory in view of the approval of Semaglutide formulations (such as multi-dose vials, pre-filled pens, etc.) of various companies for marketing in the country following the patent expiry of the innovator Semaglutide products in March 2026, and considering the increasing public demand for these formulations for Weight Loss and Type-2 Diabetes.

Semaglutide formulations are Prescription Only Medicines. These medicines belong to a class known as Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists, which help regulate blood sugar levels and body weight by acting on specific receptors in the body.

The public is hereby advised as follows:

Semaglutide formulations shall be used strictly under the prescription and direct medical supervision of a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP), i.e., a qualified medical doctor.
The public is strongly advised not to self-medicate with Semaglutide formulations for weight loss or any other purpose.
Improper or unsupervised use of Semaglutide may lead to serious health complications, including acute pancreatitis, acute kidney injury, severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions, acute gall bladder disease, and other adverse reactions.
A Registered Medical Practitioner will evaluate the patient’s medical history, existing health conditions, and potential risk factors before prescribing Semaglutide formulations and will determine the appropriate dosage and treatment duration.
Semaglutide formulations shall be purchased only from licensed medical shops and only against a valid prescription issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner.
The public is also advised not to procure Semaglutide formulations through unregulated online platforms, unauthorized sellers, or unlicensed channels, as such products may be spurious, substandard, or unsafe.
Any instance of illegal sale, promotion, or misuse of Semaglutide formulations may be reported to the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana.

Further, manufacturers are strictly prohibited from issuing surrogate advertisements or engaging in any form of indirect promotion that may mislead consumers or encourage off-label use of the product.

The Drugs Control Administration, Telangana urges the public to exercise caution and ensure that Semaglutide formulations are used only under proper medical guidance in order to safeguard public health, according to DCA Director General Shahnawaz Qasim, here on Tuesday.

Pic of DCA officials for representational purposes only