A recent seizure of counterfeit anti-diabetes and weight-loss drugs in Gurugram has once again drawn attention to the growing threat of fake medicines in India’s pharmaceutical market. The drugs, falsely sold under the brand name Mounjaro (tirzepatide), were confiscated by the Haryana drug control authority in a targeted crackdown on spurious products.
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company (India), which manufactures the original drug, has confirmed that the seized products were not part of its authorised supply chain. The company commended the state regulator’s action, noting that most of the counterfeit stock identified during the investigation has now been recovered.
“Counterfeit products are not manufactured under approved quality controls and may pose significant risks to patient safety and public health,” said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Lilly India. He added that the company is working closely with regulators and law enforcement agencies to curb the spread of fake medicines.
Mounjaro, a relatively new and high-demand drug used in the management of type 2 diabetes and increasingly prescribed for obesity, has seen a surge in demand globally, including in India. Experts say such demand often creates fertile ground for counterfeiters, especially when access is limited or prices are high.
Lilly clarified that its patented tirzepatide molecule is marketed in India under two brand names, Mounjaro and Yurpeak. It stressed that genuine products continue to be available through authorised distributors and licensed pharmacies.
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The company has also issued an advisory urging patients and caregivers to remain vigilant. Indicators of potentially counterfeit medicines include purchases from unlicensed sources, tampered or damaged packaging, missing batch numbers or expiry dates, and inconsistencies such as spelling errors or unfamiliar logos.
Public health experts warn that counterfeit drugs are not merely ineffective but can be dangerous, as they may contain incorrect or harmful ingredients. “The risk is particularly high in chronic conditions like diabetes, where continuity and accuracy of treatment are crucial,” said a Mumbai-based endocrinologist.
India has long struggled with the circulation of substandard and falsified medicines, though regulatory crackdowns have intensified in recent years.
The Gurugram seizure highlights both the scale of the problem and the need for tighter surveillance, especially for high-value therapies.
Patients are advised to purchase medicines only against a valid prescription and through licensed pharmacies, say doctors. As per the company's release, suspected counterfeit products can be reported to Lilly India via its toll-free helpline or email.
While authorities have moved swiftly in this case, the incident underscores a larger systemic challenge that of ensuring that life-saving medicines remain both accessible and protected from an increasingly sophisticated counterfeit network.