Delhi HC directs DCGI to examine weight loss drug combinations, instructs to take expert consultation
The Court instructed the DCGI to consult medical experts, stakeholders, and drug manufacturers before arriving at any regulatory decision.
The bench of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela acknowledged the issues raised and stressed the need for initial regulatory scrutiny.
The petitioner has been permitted to submit an additional representation within two weeks, supplementing a previous one submitted in April.
The Court further directed the DCGI to provide a well-reasoned decision within three months, considering expert advice and industry input.
The proceedings arise from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on the sale of weight loss drugs that are still undergoing clinical trials internationally.
The PIL specifically raised concern over India's approval of GLP-1 RA drugs--Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Liraglutide--for weight loss and cosmetic purposes without adequate India-specific trials, safety data, or regulatory checks. Originally developed for diabetes treatment, these drugs are now under global scrutiny for potentially severe side effects, including cancer risks, organ damage, and neurological complications, the plea stated.
The plea also flags the aggressive, unregulated marketing of these drugs--especially to younger demographics--alongside the absence of post-market surveillance and transparency in approval processes. It argues that these regulatory lapses threaten the constitutional right to health and calls for immediate judicial oversight to avert a potential public health crisis.
The plea was filed by Jitendra Chouksey, with Senior Advocate Diya Kapur leading the arguments, assisted by Advocate Rohit Kumar. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi seeks Siddaramaiah's apology after experts ruled out Covid jab caused heart attacks
Union Consumer Affairs & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to apologise to scientists and researchers for 'insulting' them with his comments that Covid-19 vaccines may have caused heart attack deaths in Hassan district. Pralhad's demand came after an expert panel constituted by the state government into heart attack related deaths in Hassan district ruled out any link between the vaccination and heart attacks. When the pandemic broke out in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acted swiftly and released grants. Siddaramaiah too took the shots of the vaccine in India, not overseas, Joshi told the media in Hubballi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Depuratore d'acqua di nuova generazione: ecco quanto costa Depuratori d'acqua Scopri di più Undo The PM dealt with the pandemic far more effectively compared to other countries. But Siddaramaiah's statement was offensive to our scientists and questioned the efficacy of Indian vaccines where there was a huge demand for India-made pharma products in the oversea market, he said. Siddaramaiah's comments suggesting Covid-19 vaccination may have caused the recent heart-attack related deaths had triggered a wave of rebuttals from senior doctors, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and the BJP. Live Events The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences had dismissed any connection between the two. A study on the people who succumbed to sudden cardiac arrests did not reveal any link to the Covid vaccination, AIIMS experts said.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta distribute appointment letters to 1400 nurses
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): As Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta distributed appointment letters to 1400 nurses on Sunday, CM Gupta said that the government is making efforts to tackle the shortage of medical staff and medicines. Rekha Gupta told the reporters, 'It is a matter of great joy that, after many years in the history of the Delhi government, appointment letters for permanent nursing staff have been distributed by the government. For years, due to a shortage of staff, Delhi's hospitals have been running in a disorganised manner. The government has made significant efforts within its tenure to fill these vacancies, and today, approximately 1,400 nurses have been given appointment letters.' Delhi CM further congratulated the health department and the Health Ministry. 'Our effort is to ensure that there is no shortage of medicines, doctors, staff, or infrastructure in Delhi's hospitals. From the bottom of our hearts, we extend heartfelt congratulations to the entire health department, the Health Ministry, and the Health Minister. We request everyone to come together and serve the people of Delhi,' CM Gupta said. During the same event, Union Minister Nadda and CM Rekha Gupta also flagged off Ayushman Bharat Registration Vans in Vigyan Bhawan on Sunday. Addressing the event, the BJP chief slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for not using Rs 1700 crore under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme for public welfare. He said, 'Under PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, we had given Rs 1700 crore to Delhi between 2021 to February 2025, but not one penny was spent, and now the responsibility of the expenditure of this fund for the public welfare has fallen on the shoulders of (Delhi CM) Rekha ji.' Continuing his attack against AAP, he added, 'We were ready to quench Delhi's thirst with water, but you kept the vessel upside down, so what could be done? On February 20, you turned up the vessel, so you got Ayushman Bharat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ready to provide Rs 5 lakh for the poor's healthcare since September 2, 2017. Their pride came in between. They did injustice to the poor.' Lauding Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Nadda targeted Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic and called AAP shortsighted. 'A wise man is farsighted and thinks of Ayushman Arogya Mandir, and shortsighted ones bring Mohalla Clinics. From the time a mother conceives a child to the time the child turns two, Ayushman Arogya Mandir takes care of all the vaccinations. India is playing a lead role in reproductive and child health care,' JP Nadda said. (ANI)
India Gazette
15 hours ago
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: Pauri Garhwal authorities conduct joint inspection of Kanwar Yatra route
Pauri Garhwal (Uttarakhand) [India], July 5 (ANI): Ahead of the Kanwar Yatra, authorities in Pauri Garhwal district on Saturday carried out a joint inspection of the pilgrimage route and directed urgent upgrades to infrastructure and safety measures. The inspection was led by District Magistrate Swati S Bhadauria, who was accompanied by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and teams from the electricity, roads, and water departments. 'Today, we inspected the whole Kanwar Yatra route with the SSP and the whole team of electricity, road, and water. A detailed inspection was conducted of the pedestrian road, temple, parking area, and toilets,' Bhadauria told ANI. She also pointed out a few areas requiring immediate attention. 'There is a big parking lot of the Zila Panchayat where there is a slight shortage of toilets. We have also directed them about the solar lights on the pedestrian walk, while directions have been given for the safety of elephant-prone zones and dangerous zones,' she added. Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand State Health Department has also prepared a comprehensive action plan to ensure pure and safe food is provided to the lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the yatra. According to an official release, special teams of food safety officers have been deployed in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri and Uttarkashi districts. These teams will regularly collect samples of milk, sweets, oil, spices, beverages, and other items from the pandals and send them to laboratories for testing. If any sample does not meet the standards, the concerned place will be closed immediately. Additional Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that the government has made it clear that no leniency will be shown to those conducting food business without a license. Those who adulterate or violate the rules will face penalties as well as criminal action. According to the statement, the government has implemented strict arrangements to provide pure and safe food to the devotees during the Kanwar Yatra 2025. Health Secretary and Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration, R. Rajesh Kumar, stated that in this regard, some important mandatory instructions have been issued to all hotels, dhabas, carts, and other food vendors operating on the travel routes. Every food trader will have to put a clean copy of their license or registration certificate in a prominent place in their establishment so that consumers can easily see it. (ANI)
