Delhi High Court asks DGCI to decide on plea against licensing of weight-loss drugs
A bench of Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the petitioner, Jitendra Chouksey, to give a representation to the DGCI, which was asked to decide the matter within three months.
Mr. Chouksey, in his plea, alleged licenses issued for the use and sale of such drugs were not based on adequate data.
The court, however, said the plea's concerns have to be first looked into and addressed by the DCGI. It allowed Mr. Chouksey to move the authority and bring relevant material and documents to its notice.
Lack of clinical trials
The plea raised concerns regarding the manner in which 'Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (RA) drugs, specifically semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide, have been granted marketing approval in India for use in weight management and aesthetic treatments, despite limited safety data, lack of India-specific clinical trials, and absence of a robust pharmacovigilance or regulatory oversight mechanism.'
It claimed that 'numerous studies have further highlighted the significant risks posed by these medications, including pancreatitis, gastrointestinal damage, thyroid and pancreatic cancers, cardiovascular complications, metabolic dysregulation, and optic neuropathy.'
The plea said these drugs were originally developed and internationally approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, with their primary therapeutic role being the regulation of glycemic levels.
'However, over the past few years, they have been repurposed and approved often through accelerated pathways for obesity treatment and chronic weight management, based largely on short-term efficacy trials,' it added.
The plea said, 'In India, the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) has recently approved these drugs for weight- loss purposes without requiring large-scale clinical trials specific to Indian demographics or mandating post-marketing surveillance.'
Mr. Chouksey said there is no evidence to suggest that these drugs have undergone rigorous safety evaluation within the Indian population. He cautioned that pharmaceutical companies, clinics, and digital wellness platforms are promoting the drug combinations as 'quick-fix' weight-loss solutions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
27 minutes ago
- Hans India
Covid vaccine row: Piyush Goyal slams K'taka CM for insulting Indian scientists, drugmakers
New Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday criticised Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for suggesting a link between Covid-19 vaccines developed in India and the sudden deaths. Speaking to the media, on the sidelines of IIT Madras Alumni Association's Sangam 2025 event in Bengaluru, Piyush Goyal praised the Indian scientists for developing Covid vaccine in record time and the pharmaceutical sector for making it cost-effective. 'Fake narratives can't dilute the extraordinary work done by our scientists and the pharma industry in our fight against Covid,' said Goyal. 'Such a big country like India was able to provide 250 crore vaccines for free, because the companies of our country had the strength to make the vaccine at a much lower cost,' he added. His comments come in the wake of Siddaramaiah's recent post on social media platform X on 'the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public'. The CM linked it to the more than 20 heart attack-related deaths seen in Karnataka's Hassan district in just 40 days. The Union Health Ministry, along with several scientists as well as pharma associations, has denied any link between Covid vaccines and the reported sudden deaths. A joint clarification from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) stated that ongoing surveillance and analyses have not revealed any significant deviation in patterns of cardiac-related deaths since before the pandemic. 'I feel that the Chief Minister here does not disrespect, he insults, and when he insults our scientists, our pharmacy, then I do not know what is the motive behind it?' Goyal said. "Apologise to the Indian scientists and the pharmaceutical sector,' he added. He also asked whether the CM and the Congress are working at the behest of foreign powers. 'Are these the foreign powers whose agenda they are running here, are the foreign powers who want to lure India's pharmacy, are they troubled by India's economic progress and development,' Goyal said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Delhi HC dimisses 200+ defence ministry pleas against disability pension
The Delhi High Court has dismissed over 200 petitions of the Ministry of Defence challenging the Armed Force Tribunal's order holding a number of defence personnel entitled for disability pension for their respective disabilities. Disability pension cannot be denied to defence personnel solely on the ground that the onset of the disability occurred while they were posted at a peace station or by contending that it is a lifestyle disease, it said, while noting that military service is inherently stressful due to a combination of factors. A bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur said that granting disability pension is not an act of generosity but a rightful and just acknowledgement of the sacrifices endured by defence personnel which manifest in the form of disabilities/ disorders suffered during their military service. The purpose of granting disability pension to personnel of the Indian Armed Forces is to provide necessary financial support to those who have sustained a disability or illness during the course of their service due to service conditions, the bench said in its 85-page common judgment passed on July 1. The court said such the pension ensures that a soldier who suffers injury or disability due to service conditions is not left without support and is able to live with financial security and dignity. It is a measure that upholds the States responsibility towards its soldiers, who have served the nation with courage and devotion, it added. The court said it must be kept in mind that armed forces personnel, in defending the nation from external threats, have to perform their duties in most harsh and inhuman weather and conditions, be it in far-flung corners of land, in terrains and atmosphere where the limits of a man's survival are tested, or in air or water, where again surviving each day is a challenge, away from the luxury of family life and comforts. The central government, through the Ministry of Defence, challenged the tribunal's orders on the grounds that the Release Medical Board (RMB) had clearly opined that the medical condition of the defence personnel suffering from hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus Type II was neither attributable to nor aggravated by military service. The ministry contended that these personnel were not entitled to disability element of pension. The high court said it was incumbent upon the RMB to furnish cogent and well-reasoned justification for their conclusions that the disease or disability suffered by the personnel cannot be said to be attributable to or aggravated by such service conditions. The court said disability pension cannot be denied to defence personnel solely on the ground that the onset of the disability occurred while they were posted at a peace station. It is disheartening that members of our armed forces are being denied disability pension solely on the aforementioned ground. This overlooks the continuous physical and mental stress faced by soldiers, regardless of their location, the bench said. It said even in peace stations, military service is inherently stressful due to a combination of factors such as strict discipline, long working hours, limited personal freedom, and constant readiness for deployment. The psychological burden of being away from family, living in isolated or challenging environments, and coping with the uncertainty of sudden transfers or duties adds to this strain. Additionally, the toll of continuous combat training further contributes to mental fatigue, it said. Despite the absence of active conflict or the challenges of hard area postings, the demanding nature of military life at peace stations can significantly impact the overall well-being of personnel, the court said, adding that even when not on the front lines or in hard areas, soldiers are aware that the threat is never far away. This environment, where danger is a constant reality for their peers and could become their own at any moment, creates a persistent state of mental and emotional strain that cannot be overlooked. "Thus, military service, whether in peace locations or operational zones, inherently carries stress that may predispose Force personnel to medical conditions such as hypertension, the bench said. The court said lifestyle varies from individual to individual and a mere statement that a disease is a lifestyle disorder cannot be a sufficient reason to deny disability pension, unless the medical board has duly examined and recorded particulars relevant to the individual concerned. When force personnel have rendered prolonged military service, there exists a substantial onus on the RMB to establish that the hypertension is not attributable to or aggravated by military service, it said. The court said the authorities have ignored that many of these soldiers had previously served in the field or hard areas, only to be diagnosed with their respective disabilities later during their peace postings. Denying benefits under such circumstances not only undermines their service but also fails to acknowledge the effect of their demanding careers, it said. The court said the possibility cannot be ruled out that these factors jointly and severally can become a chronic source of mental stress and strain, precipitating various medical conditions such as hypertension. It said the RMB must not resort to a vague and stereotyped approach but should engage in a comprehensive, logical, and rational analysis of the service and medical records of the personnel, and must record well-reasoned findings while discharging the onus placed upon it. The matters pertaining to Diabetes Mellitus Type II in which the RMB has opined that the disease is not attributable to or aggravated by military service, solely based on the fact that the onset was at a peace station, cannot be sustained, the court said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Sleep-Friendly Snacks That Help Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels Naturally
Late-night hunger can be tricky to manage—especially for those keeping a close eye on their blood sugar levels. Eat too little, and you might wake up feeling famished. Eat the wrong thing, and you risk sugar spikes that can disrupt sleep and impact overall health. The key is to choose foods that are both satisfying and gentle on your system. The ideal bedtime snacks are low on the glycemic index, meaning they won't cause sudden increases in blood sugar or insulin. Here are some tasty and wholesome snack options that promote better sleep without causing blood sugar swings: 1. Almonds A small handful of almonds is a smart nighttime choice. These crunchy nuts are low in carbs and high in fiber and healthy fats, which help stabilize blood sugar levels. They're also a good source of magnesium—linked to improved sleep quality. Keep your portion to about 6–8 almonds to avoid overdoing calories. 2. Plain Greek Yogurt Creamy and protein-rich, plain Greek yogurt helps curb hunger without raising glucose levels. With low natural sugar and a high satiety factor, it slows digestion and supports overnight metabolic balance. Avoid sweetened varieties and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavour. 3. Boiled Egg Boiled eggs offer more than just protein—they also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body produce melatonin, a hormone essential for good sleep. One egg can keep you full and assist with nighttime muscle repair while preventing blood sugar fluctuations. 4. Moong Dal Soup A warm bowl of moong dal soup is soothing, easy to digest, and blood sugar-friendly. Its complex carbs provide a slow release of energy, while spices like cumin and asafoetida (hing) enhance digestion. It's perfect for winding down before bed and waking up refreshed. 5. Paneer Cubes Fresh paneer (Indian cottage cheese) is a protein-packed, slow-digesting snack that won't cause blood sugar spikes. Just a few cubes, lightly seasoned with pepper or herbs, can help you feel full and support muscle maintenance overnight—without disturbing your glucose levels. 6. Chia Pudding Chia pudding, made with unsweetened milk and flavoured naturally with cinnamon or vanilla, offers a fiber-rich way to stay full overnight. Chia seeds expand in liquid, forming a pudding-like texture that's rich in omega-3s and excellent for glucose control. Make a batch ahead of time and enjoy a few spoonful's before bed. Choosing the right bedtime snack can make all the difference—not just for your sleep, but also for your overall metabolic health. These options deliver on both taste and nutrition, so you can rest easy knowing your blood sugar is in check.
