Government Proposes Ban on Pharmacy Ads for Mounjaro, Ozempic and Other Prescription Drugs
The Centre has proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945, to restrict pharmacy and wholesaler advertisements for prescription medicines, including popular GLP-1 drugs, amid concerns over self-medication and misleading promotions.
The Centre has proposed stricter rules to stop pharmacies, wholesalers and distributors from advertising prescription-only medicines, including popular drugs such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy.
Under the existing Drugs Rules, 1945, pharmaceutical manufacturers are prohibited from advertising medicines listed under Schedules H, H1 and X, which require a doctor’s prescription. However, the rules do not explicitly extend the same restrictions to retailers and other drug sellers, creating a regulatory gap that the proposed amendment seeks to address.
The Union Health Ministry said the draft aims to strengthen oversight across the pharmaceutical supply chain, discourage unauthorised promotion and reduce the risks associated with inappropriate self-medication.
The proposal comes as GLP-1 medicines, initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes and also used for weight management, gain popularity in India. Pharmacy advertisements and discount offers for these drugs have raised concerns about patients making treatment decisions without proper medical guidance.
Dr Reshu Agarwal, an internal medicine specialist at Yathartha Super Speciality Hospital in Noida, said advertisements could influence patients and distract them from the importance of correct prescriptions, dosage and information about side effects.
The proposed safeguards would also cover concerns involving certain antibiotics, psychotropic medicines and other prescription-only drugs that require medical supervision.
The amendment follows recommendations made at the Drugs Technical Advisory Board’s 93rd meeting on February 16, 2026. The government has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public within 30 days of the draft Gazette notification becoming available.
The final rules will be considered after the consultation process. For now, the proposal signals tighter scrutiny of prescription-drug promotions, though the restrictions are not yet finalised.
