Centre Approves Mounjaro, Ozempic Under CGHS, Warns Against Rule Violations
Centre Approves Mounjaro, Ozempic Under CGHS, Warns Against Rule Violations Reported By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 16:50 IST CGHS have been directed to ensure
Centre Approves Mounjaro, Ozempic Under CGHS, Warns Against Rule Violations Reported By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 16:50 IST CGHS have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the guidelines across all CGHS Wellness Centres and empanelled healthcare organisations Rapid Read Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and semaglutide-based drugs work by mimicking gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar. (File for representation) Mounjaro and Ozempic — the popular weight loss and diabetes management injections — will now be available under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), News18 has learnt. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in an official document dated July 24, 2026, said it has decided to include Injection Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in the online list of restricted drugs under CGHS, following a review of these drugs for obesity and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus management in eligible beneficiaries. The order copy, seen by News18, specifies that the drugs shall be prescribed only for beneficiaries meeting prescribed clinical criteria, and subject to conditions, contraindications, monitoring requirements and prescribing authority laid out in the annexure.
It states that the decision has been taken “after due consideration of the recommendations of the concerned experts and with the approval of the competent authority." Both injections Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Ozempic) will now be prescribed under CGHS and the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules, 1944, only in accordance with guidelines. Additional CGHS directors have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the guidelines across all CGHS Wellness Centres and empanelled healthcare organisations. The document warns that “any deviation from these guidelines shall be viewed seriously," with the instructions coming into force with immediate effect. Why the move matters? The restriction comes against the backdrop of a global and domestic surge in demand for GLP-1 drugs, which have moved beyond diabetes care to become among the fastest-growing weight-management therapies worldwide. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and semaglutide-based drugs work by mimicking gut hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar, and clinical trials have shown significant weight loss and glycaemic control benefits — driving a sharp rise in prescriptions and off-label use for obesity in India over the past two years.
Mounjaro and Ozempic have emerged as two of the most sought-after medicines for obesity and Type 2 diabetes globally, with clinical trials showing average weight loss of up to 15-20% with tirzepatide and around 10-15% with semaglutide, alongside significant improvements in blood sugar control. In India too, demand has surged since their launch, making GLP-1 therapies one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical segments. Industry estimates suggest the domestic GLP-1 market has already crossed ₹1,000 crore and is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years as prices ease and more brands enter the market. That surge has also raised concerns among health authorities over indiscriminate prescription, cost burden, and long-term safety monitoring, particularly within a government health scheme serving lakhs of employees and pensioners. By placing these drugs on the restricted list with defined clinical eligibility and monitoring criteria, the ministry appears to be seeking to balance patient access with cost control and clinical oversight — a tension that has also featured in parliamentary scrutiny of CGHS drug procurement and formulary delays.
The BriefWire