Hyderabad: Behind the counters of Hyderabad’s pharmacies, a troubling new trend is taking root. The arrival of generic versions of blockbuster weight loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus (semaglutide) has made once-exclusive therapies more affordable.But alongside affordability comes a darker reality: Unregulated sales, counterfeit fears, and casual misuse. What was once hailed as a medical breakthrough is now being consumed as a lifestyle shortcut, reflecting a wider pan-India trend where the pursuit of slimmer bodies collides with weak oversight. A TOI investigation across Kachiguda, Banjara Hills, Nampally and other parts of the city revealed troubling practices. Pharmacies were found dispensing GLP-1 injectables without valid prescriptions, often skipping bills and records. These drugs, designed to be taken strictly under medical supervision, are increasingly being treated like over-the-counter aids.Pharma guys feel heatPharmacists admit they are under pressure. “Customers insist on immediate purchase, sometimes claiming they already have prescriptions elsewhere,” said P Sravan of Kacheguda. Another pharmacist, R Srinivas, argued that branded drugs’ availability is driving the shift. “There is a shortage of original products and prices are very high. Patients demand cheaper alternatives. We rely on distributors, but we are not knowingly selling anything illegal,” he said.The risks are not hypothetical. Just weeks ago, Gurgaon authorities busted a racket manufacturing fake Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injections worth 70 lakh in a residential flat. Telangana’s Drug Control Administration (DCA) has since flagged multiple violations in Hyderabad — from sales without prescriptions to missing records and absent pharmacists. Show-cause notices have been issued, but officials admit the lure of easy profits is strong. Violations galore“We have not yet detected any confirmed counterfeit batches of these medicines in Hyderabad. However, inspections revealed multiple violations — drugs being sold without valid prescriptions, bills not issued, and sales records either missing or incomplete,” said a senior DCA official. Doctors are sounding the alarm. “These are not casual weight loss pills. They alter hormones and metabolism. Misuse can cause nausea, gastric distress, even dangerous complications,” warned a senior diabetologist at Osmania general hospital. Consultant endocrinologist Dr Ravi Shankar Erukulapati added that demand is now fuelled by weddings, parties and gym trainers casually recommending generics. “We see daily inquiries about these drugs, even from people without genuine medical conditions,” he said. Double-edged swordThe economics are tempting. Branded semaglutide therapy starts at 4,000 a month, going up to 15,000. Generics slash that to under 2,000, making them accessible to a wider audience. But affordability is proving a double-edged sword, drawing in not just patients but also social media-driven aspirants chasing quick results. Officials warn that the surge in demand, fuelled by online trends and rising awareness of obesity treatments, has made these drugs a lucrative target for illegal sales. “High costs and limited availability of genuine products may be pushing consumers towards unauthorised sellers. But citizens must resist self-medication and consult qualified doctors before using such drugs,” said a senior DCA official. The story of Ozempic or semaglutide in Hyderabad is no longer just about medicine. It is about regulation, responsibility, and the fragile line between healing and harm. As generics flood the market, the challenge is clear: How to balance affordability with safety, and ensure that the promise of modern medicine does not become a perilous shortcut, warn medical experts.
