Overview
- In a March 10–11 notice, the CDSCO/DCGI said public‑facing content, including digital outreach, influencer activity and corporate campaigns, may be treated as surrogate advertising.
- The regulator stressed that GLP‑1 and similar medicines are prescription‑only and must be used under a registered practitioner’s care for approved indications.
- Firms were directed to follow the Drugs and Cosmetics Act/Rules, add authorised contact and grievance details to patient information, and file comprehensive risk‑management plans.
- Content that exaggerates benefits, promises guaranteed weight loss or downplays lifestyle measures such as diet and exercise could invite action for misleading promotion.
- The advisory arrives just before semaglutide’s March 20 patent expiry, with reports pointing to dozens of expected generics and heightened scrutiny of high‑visibility campaigns by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.