CDSCO Bars Injectables From 'Cosmetic' Labelling, Targets GLP-1 Off-Label Use

India's drug regulator clarified injectables cannot be sold or marketed as cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, warning aesthetic clinics amid surging off-label GLP-1 weight-loss shots for pre-wedding and beauty use. The advisory tightens the line between licensed pharma and the booming medspa retail channel.

— Filed Thu, 21 May, 2026, 12:33 IST · Source NDTV Profit · Updated

CDSCO clarified that injectable products cannot be labelled or sold as cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, warning aesthetic clinics and consumers amid rising off-label use of GLP-1 weight-loss injections for cosmetic and pre-wedding purposes in India.

Why this matters

Follows DCGI's directive that cosmetics are for beautifying not treatment, and a parallel crackdown on illegal sildenafil and tadalafil sales, signaling a coordinated push against the unregulated aesthetic-pharma overlap.

Retail-brand signals steady at 450 in the last 90 days, with regulatory enforcement emerging as a recurring driver.