Indian Medical Association Warns of Misuse of Weight Loss Medications

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has issued a warning about the potential misuse and mis-prescription of weight loss medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. These GLP-1 medications, which are available without proper prescription, should only be prescribed by certified endocrinologists or diabetologists, according to IMA national president Dilip Bhanushali. The IMA plans to formally write to the health ministry and drug regulator to push for stricter prescription controls. Several doctors are raising concerns about the rampant misuse of these medications by cosmetologists, physiotherapists, and non-modern medicine practitioners.

Key Takeaways:

• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has warned of the potential misuse and mis-prescription of weight loss medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
• These GLP-1 medications should only be prescribed by certified endocrinologists or diabetologists, according to IMA national president Dilip Bhanushali.
• The IMA plans to formally write to the health ministry and drug regulator to push for stricter prescription controls.
• Several doctors are raising concerns about the rampant misuse of these medications by cosmetologists, physiotherapists, and non-modern medicine practitioners.
• Any registered medical practitioner, including MBBS or MD practitioners, can prescribe weight-loss or GLP-1 drugs under the existing legal framework.
• Online chemists are selling Mounjaro without proper verification of prescriptions.
• The domestic weight-loss drug market is expected to expand to Rs 8,000- Rs 10,000 crore by the turn of the decade.

Statistics:

• The domestic weight-loss drug market is expected to expand to Rs 8,000- Rs 10,000 crore by the turn of the decade (Source: ET).
• The market is currently valued at about Rs 700 crore (Source: ET).
• Approximately 50% of the prescriptions for weight loss medications are generated by non-endocrinologists, such as cosmetologists and physiotherapists (Source: Dr. Geoffrey Vaz, Maven Esthetics).

Sources:

• ET
• Indian Medical Association
• Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, IMA national president
• Dr. Geoffrey Vaz, dermatologist at Maven Esthetics
• Dr. Neeraj Tulara, general medicines and infectious diseases specialist at LH Hiranandani Hospital