Hyderabad: The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has issued a public advisory warning people and medical practitioners against purchasing, prescribing or self-administering unapproved weight-loss medications and experimental peptide products sold through unregulated online platforms and social media channels.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, the state drug regulatory authority said certain medical practitioners and online vendors were allegedly distributing products such as Retatrutide and Orforglipron, along with experimental peptides including Tesamorelin, BPC-157 and GHK-Cu.
According to TG SAFE, some of these products are marketed as “research chemicals” or labelled “Not for Human Consumption” but are reportedly sold with injection kits, raising concerns about their use without appropriate medical supervision or regulatory approval.
Officials Warn of Serious Health Risks
TG SAFE cautioned that unapproved products may not undergo the necessary regulatory checks, quality testing and sterility controls required for medicines intended for human use.
The authority warned that using such injectable substances could lead to serious complications, including bacterial infections, severe adverse reactions and potentially fatal outcomes.
Officials also raised concerns about products sold through online marketplaces and messaging platforms such as Telegram. Some vials may be counterfeit or incorrectly labelled, meaning their actual contents cannot be reliably established from the packaging alone.
Doctors Advised Against Unapproved Prescriptions
TG SAFE has warned medical practitioners against prescribing or administering unapproved formulations in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The authority urged consumers not to rely on claims made by online sellers or social media promotions when considering weight-loss treatments or experimental peptide products.
People were advised to seek medical guidance from qualified healthcare professionals and avoid self-administering injectable products whose safety, quality and regulatory status have not been established.
Helpline for Reporting Violations
Members of the public can report suspected sales or distribution of unapproved medicines to the TG SAFE Drugs Wing through its toll-free number, 1800-599-6969.
The helpline is available between 10:30 am and 5 pm on working days, according to the advisory.
The authority said the warning is intended to raise awareness about the risks associated with unregulated medicines and to discourage unsafe use of products sold outside established regulatory safeguards.
