Industry Odisha Bureau, May 6: As cases of side-effects galore after the intake of the reportedly much-sought-after or the so-called blockbuster drug ‘Semaglutide’ by the frenzied Indian populace longing for weight loss (obesity), the Government of India (GoI) has reportedly geared up to curb both its prescription by doctors and unbridled use by the obese patients.
Notably, “Semaglutide (marketed as Wegovy for weight loss) is a highly effective, once-weekly injection that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to suppress appetite and reduce calorie intake. Clinical trials show users lose approximately 15% of body weight over 68 weeks, with 86% of users achieving 5% weight loss”.
But, be aware of its intake henceforth, because the anti-obesity drug “Semaglutide” is reportedly “facing fresh scrutiny after hundreds of suspected complications were flagged with medical experts noting that about half the users report side-effects”.
Media reports said that the Health Ministry had issued “a detailed advisory for manufacturers on March 10 this year prohibiting surrogate advertisements and any form of indirect promotion that could mislead consumers or encourage off-label usage”.
As the intensive review of the drug is reportedly on at the GoI level, “tighter norms, safety warnings and stricter prescription rules” are reportedly on cards.
Sources said that the GoI has “documented around 400 reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) potentially linked to the medication that is now being clinically evaluated since the drug’s launch in India last year”.
Sources added: “As the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), under the Health Ministry, is responsible for setting drug standards, this apex body is evaluating these cases with reported side-effects, including gastrointestinal distress—severe nausea and persistent vomiting—and major dermatological issues”.
It has also been stated that the IPC will be submitting the outcome of its probe soon to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for further action.
