New Delhi. Everyone desires to have a fit body, a lean, beautiful and shapely body, but due to poor lifestyle, the problem of weight gain has become common among people. Along with increasing weight, various types of obesity diseases also knock in their body. In such a situation, people resort to different methods to lose weight. They also try to reduce their weight by using medicines. In such a situation, the trend of use of some medicines which are not approved has increased in India.

Why did the sale of illegal weight loss drugs increase?

There is a different trend going on in the country regarding weight loss. Everyone wants to lose weight in a short time, that is, they want to adopt shortcuts. In this shortcut, celebrities also mention such weight loss medicines in their interviews, the use of which is not approved in India. Encouraged by this, the demand for weight loss medicines (medicines like Ozempic and Monjaro) recommended by these celebrities has increased among middle class Indians these days. It has been revealed that due to increased demand, unapproved weight loss medicines are being supplied to Indian pharmacies through illegal means without any regulatory checkup.

How are these medicines being sold in the market?

Pooja and her employer of Aggarwal Pharma in Mehrauli, Delhi admitted that they were illegally importing and selling medicines like Ozempic and Monzaro without any valid documents. These medicines are imported from Dubai and Egypt with different price tags. Let us tell you that these medicines also have very dangerous side effects.

Pooja of Aggarwal Pharma told that the medicines of Monjaro and Ozempic are procured from on demand pharmacy. While giving the medicine, we do not issue its bill and MRP. If you need these medicines, we have them available. Information was also given about the smuggling route of these medicines and the dangers involved in it. Also warned about the side effects of the medicine of Dubai variant.

Pooja Aggarwal of Aggarwal Pharma further said that Egyptian labels can be seen on the medicines. Its price is Rs 1,02,000. One of its brands comes from Dubai, which does not have any Egyptian label. Its price is around Rs 19,000. It is also not advisable to take medicine for this variant. Actually, dangerous side effects have been detected in the medicines of Dubai variant. It also reduces blood pressure in patients.

Vivek of AV Pharma in Chandni Chowk, Delhi admitted that they sell Ozempic medicine without any valid labeling and MRP. The price of one (pack) injection of Ozempic is Rs 23,000. There are four doses in one injection. These are mostly purchased on order and are not kept in stock. There is Egyptian MRP on its pack. At the same time, Manish of Maggu Pharmaceutical Store of Bhagiratha Palace said to give Rs 17,000 per injection. He agreed to give 5 injections without bill.

What is the actual use of these medicines?

The American drug regulator approved Ozempic in 2017 for the treatment of diabetes. At the same time, its higher dose variant was approved in 2021 for the treatment of obesity under the Wegovi brand. Apart from this, the drug Monjaro was also approved for the treatment of diabetes, but it has also been used unofficially as a weight loss remedy.

What do experts say

Dr. Ambrish Mithal, Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Max Healthcare, cautioned against unauthorized purchase and off-label use of these medicines, saying that their use without proper medical supervision can pose health risks. You should not use these medicines. If you are underweight and want to reduce it, you can contact an endocrinologist. You can ask them whether these medicines are right for you or not. At present, fake variants of these medicines have also come in the market, which is worrying.

Dr. Ambrish Mithal further said that taking medicines like Ozempic and Monjaro can cause nausea and vomiting. If you have a history of pancreatitis, do not take these medicines at all. People with history of thyroid and cancer should also not take these medicines. These medicines can prove fatal for such people.