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Fake Ozempic and Mounjaro pens: how do you check yours in India?

Fake GLP‑1 pens have turned up in Gurugram, the UK and the US. Here is what regulators and the makers say to check, and who to tell in India.

GLP Guidebook teamPublished 5 Oct 202610 min read32 sourcesWritten from published sources

Written for India. Reading from the US? US versionComing soon

The short answer

Yes, fake GLP-1 pens have reached India. In April 2026, Haryana drug officials seized fake Mounjaro pens in Gurugram. Use only a pen a licensed pharmacy dispensed against your prescription, with a bill. Check the seal, batch number, expiry and spelling. If anything looks wrong, don't inject it, and report it to your state drugs controller.

Key takeaways

  • Fake GLP-1 pens have been found in India: in April 2026, Haryana drug officials and police seized fake Mounjaro pens in Gurugram.2,3
  • The WHO warned in June 2024 that fake semaglutide had been found in Brazil, the UK and the US, and some fakes may contain insulin.8,9
  • Lilly's warning signs include unlicensed sellers, damaged or resealed packs, missing batch or expiry details, spelling errors and unfamiliar logos.1,4
  • "Research use only" peptides sold online are not approved medicines, and the US FDA says they may hold the wrong ingredient or none.16
  • If you suspect a fake, keep the pen and bill and tell your state drugs controller; report any side effect to PvPI on 1800-180-3024.23,26
Before you go further
  • GLP‑1 medicines are prescription-only in India, not sold over the counter.20
  • A government statement on 1 Apr 2026 said only endocrinologists, internal-medicine specialists and cardiologists can prescribe them.19,20 CDSCO expert-committee minutes attach a similar condition to some approvals (endocrinologist or internal-medicine specialist), but we found no rule covering every brand.21,22 More in Do you need a prescription for GLP-1 medicines in India?
  • A genuine pen carries the same risks as any GLP‑1: Guide 5.
  • We name brands only to describe what was faked. Nothing here recommends a brand or a seller.
On this page
  1. Have fake GLP-1 pens been found in India?
  2. What did the WHO, the FDA and the UK find?
  3. How do I check my pen and pack?
  4. Does a QR code prove a pen is real?
  5. Is a recalled batch the same as a fake?
  6. What are "research peptides", and why are they risky?
  7. What should I do if I suspect a fake?
  8. Questions people ask
  9. How we researched this

Have fake GLP-1 pens been found in India?

Yes. In April 2026, Haryana drug officials and police seized fake Mounjaro pens in Gurugram. Reports put the stock at ₹56 lakh to over ₹70 lakh.2,3

One report says officers stopped a car in DLF Phase-IV and found several strengths of the pen.3 Another lists every strength from 2.5 mg to 15 mg.2 The pens had not been kept at the required 2–8°C.2,3

How did officers tell? The font size on the box did not match the real product, and other label details differed.2 Checks with Lilly India also found different formatting and even different toll-free numbers.3 Investigators said the firm's chief executive claimed the injections were made at his home.3

Eli Lilly makes Mounjaro. It said the seized pens were not its own and did not come from its supply chain.5 In India, Lilly sells tirzepatide as Mounjaro and Yurpeak.4 In May 2026, CDSCO asked states to watch for disguised advertising (surrogate promotion) of GLP-1 drugs. Business Standard's report on that also mentioned the Gurugram seizure.7

A theft alert, too. In August 2025, CDSCO warned that Novo Nordisk medicines had been stolen in transit from its Bhiwandi hub.6 They included three batches of Wegovy pens: RP5S232 (0.25 mg), RP5S233 (0.5 mg) and RP5S210 (1 mg).6 Stolen pens are real, but CDSCO said their quality may suffer if they weren't kept at 2–8°C.6

The alert told patients to get these products "from authorized sources only and with proper invoice".6 On 5 October 2026, it was the only GLP-1 notice we found on CDSCO's alerts page.25 We found no CDSCO notice naming a fake GLP-1 batch.

In August 2025, CDSCO moved its monthly alerts on substandard medicines to a new, searchable page.30 It says product names and maker details can be searched there. We did not read every list.

What did the WHO, the FDA and the UK find?

Regulators abroad found fake Ozempic in 2023 and fake Mounjaro in 2026, some inside the normal pharmacy supply chain. Their alerts show what fakes look like.8,11

  • Since 2022The WHO saw more reports of fake semaglutide, the medicine in Ozempic, in every world region.9
  • Oct–Dec 2023Fake Ozempic was found in Brazil, the UK and the US, in the regulated supply chain.8
  • 21 Dec 2023The US FDA warned that fake Ozempic came with fake needles. Their sterility couldn't be confirmed, so infection was a risk.10
  • 19–20 Jun 2024The WHO issued a global alert. It said some fakes may contain another medicine, such as insulin.8,9
  • 14 Apr 2025The FDA said several hundred fake Ozempic 1 mg pens had reached the US supply chain.10
  • 5 Dec 2025Another FDA alert. On the fake, the "EXP/LOT" text sat beside the date and batch number, not above it.10
  • 24 Feb 2026The UK regulator (MHRA) found fake Mounjaro 15 mg pens from one online pharmacy. On most, the dose knob came off during use.11

Two lessons carry over to India. First, a fake can carry a real batch number: one WHO batch number was genuine, but the product was fake.8 Second, a fake may contain insulin instead,9 and insulin can push blood sugar dangerously low.27

These batch numbers are from abroad and are not known to be in India. The FDA and MHRA checks are for US and UK packs; Indian packs may look different.10,11

How do I check my pen and pack?

Start with where it came from: a licensed pharmacy, against your prescription, with a bill. Then check the seal, batch number, expiry, spelling and how it was kept cold.1,5,9

What to checkWhat a warning sign looks likeWho says so
Where it came fromAn unlicensed seller, a social-media or online seller you can't verify, or no prescription asked for4,9Lilly India; WHO
The billNo invoice. CDSCO's 2025 alert asked patients for a "proper invoice"6CDSCO
The boxResealed, damaged or tampered packaging1,4Lilly India
Printed detailsMissing batch number, expiry date or maker's details4Lilly India
The labelSpelling mistakes, unfamiliar logos, odd fonts, or a label that peels2,4,8Lilly India; WHO; Haryana officials
The pen itselfA dose scale that looks different from usual, or a dose knob that comes loose8,11WHO; UK MHRA
The pen labelThe medicine name or strength on the pen doesn't match your prescription, or the expiry (EXP) date has passed31Lilly (US Mounjaro instructions)
The liquidCloudy, discoloured or with particles. Mounjaro should be colourless to slightly yellow; Ozempic clear and colourless31,32Lilly; Novo Nordisk (US labels)
The cold chainHanded over warm. Unused pens must be kept at 2–8°C2,6CDSCO; Haryana officials

From the WHO alert (June 2024), the CDSCO alert (August 2025) and Lilly India's statements (April 2026). The pen-label and liquid checks come from US labels, so Indian packs may differ. Checked 5 Oct 2026.

Check the name too. Tirzepatide in India comes from Lilly, as Mounjaro or Yurpeak.4 Semaglutide is sold by Novo Nordisk and, since 2026, by generic makers too.18

Our short answers explain the names: Is Mounjaro available in India?, Is Ozempic available in India? and Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic?

A careful fake can pass every check here. The Gurugram pens were spotted by officials comparing them with real packs.2,3 So the source of the pen matters more than any single sign.

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Does a QR code prove a pen is real?

Not on its own, in India. The national QR-code rule covers a fixed list of brands, and we found no GLP-1 medicine named in it.14,15

Since 1 August 2023, 300 named top-selling brands must carry a QR code or barcode on the pack.15 That list came out in November 2022.15 A June 2026 update adds vaccines, antibiotics, cancer and narcotic medicines, not GLP-1s.14

Lilly runs an online barcode check, but it only confirms medicine "obtained in the United States".13 We found no India version. So a missing QR code doesn't prove a fake, and a code that scans doesn't prove it's real.

We found no India counterfeit notice from Novo Nordisk.

Is a recalled batch the same as a fake?

No. A recall means the real maker withdrew some of its own batches. A fake is made by someone else, pretending to be the maker.18,24

In July 2026, Dr Reddy's, Torrent and USV recalled some batches of their semaglutide injections.18 Dr Reddy's found an impurity in the active ingredient; it said there were "no patient safety concerns".18 The report we read gave no batch numbers.18

Our post on those recalls, and how to check a batch, is Which semaglutide batches were recalled in India in 2026? Until then, Guide 6 has the details.

What are "research peptides", and why are they risky?

They are powders or vials sold online as "for research only". They are not approved medicines, and no one checks what is inside.12,16

Sellers label vials "for research purposes" or "not for human consumption", then add dosing instructions.16 The US FDA has warned such sellers of semaglutide, tirzepatide and retatrutide.16

The FDA says they may hold the wrong ingredient, or "too little, too much or no active ingredient at all".16 Lilly calls "research use only" a pretext for selling without a prescription.12

Retatrutide is not approved anywhere in the world. Lilly says it is legally available only in its own trials.28 In India, no one may make or import a new drug for sale outside the 2019 drug rules.17 More in What is the retatrutide injection, and is it available in India?

When we searched on 5 October 2026, Indian websites offering "research" peptide vials came up. We don't name or link them.

RisksThe risks of a fake or unapproved pen, in brief
  • The wrong medicine. Some fake semaglutide may contain insulin,9 which can cause dangerously low blood sugar.27
  • The wrong dose, or none. Fakes and research products may have too much, too little or no active ingredient.8,16
  • Infection. Fake needles may not be sterile.10 The MHRA asks patients to watch for allergic reactions, infection or sepsis.11
  • A pen that fails mid-dose. Don't try to draw medicine out of a broken pen.11
  • A real pen has risks too. The government lists nausea, vomiting, pancreatitis, kidney injury and bowel blockage.20
Full detail in Guide 5: Side effects and risks →

What should I do if I suspect a fake?

Don't inject it. Keep the pen, box and bill, and report it to your state drugs controller. If you have already used it and feel unwell, report that to PvPI too.23,24,26

  • Stop and keep everything. The WHO says not to use a suspect product.8 Keep it cold, with the box and the bill.
  • Write down the batch number and expiry. Officials and the maker will ask for them.8
  • Tell your state drugs controller. State licensing authorities and their drug inspectors control the sale of medicines.24 CDSCO publishes each state's office, email and address.23 In Haryana, it is the Food and Drugs Administration in Panchkula.23
  • Or tell CDSCO centrally. Its contact page lists [email protected] and a toll-free line, 1800 11 1454.25
  • Tell the maker. Lilly India takes reports of suspected fake Mounjaro on 1800 123 0021.4
  • Report any side effect to PvPI, the national drug-safety programme. Patients can report on 1800-180-3024 (9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday) or the "ADR PvPI" app.26

The law is strict. Making or selling a spurious medicine can mean 7 years to life in prison.29 If it is likely to cause death or serious harm, the term is 10 years to life.29

The minimum fine is ₹3 lakh, or ₹10 lakh in the serious case. It rises to three times the value of the drugs seized, if that is more.29 A spurious medicine "may or may not contain the active ingredients", CDSCO says.24

Get help now: call 112 if, after a suspect injection, someone has a fit or passes out. Shaking, sweating, confusion or blurred vision can mean low blood sugar.9,27 Also call 112 for signs of a severe allergic reaction or a serious infection.11

If you're already on a GLP-1, the "Already on it" path collects what to check next. Guide 6 covers storage in Indian heat.

Questions people ask

Has fake Mounjaro been found in India?

Yes. In April 2026, Haryana drug officials and police seized fake Mounjaro pens in Gurugram. Lilly said the pens were not made by Lilly.2,5

Has fake Ozempic been found in India?

We found no report of fake Ozempic seized in India as of 5 October 2026. Fake Ozempic was found in Brazil, the UK and the US in 2023. In 2025, CDSCO warned that some Wegovy pens were stolen in transit.6,8

Can I check my Mounjaro pen by QR code?

Not reliably in India. Lilly's online scanner only checks packs obtained in the United States, and India's QR-code rule doesn't name GLP-1 medicines.13,14

Are "research peptides" the same as Mounjaro or Ozempic?

No. They are unapproved products sold "for research". The US FDA says they may contain the wrong ingredient, or none at all.16

Where do I report a fake medicine in India?

To your state drugs controller, listed on CDSCO's website, or to CDSCO itself. Report any side effect to PvPI on 1800-180-3024.23,25,26

How we researched this

On 5 October 2026 we opened the WHO, US FDA, UK MHRA and CDSCO alerts listed below. We also read named news reports of the Gurugram seizure. We read CDSCO's 2025 theft alert as a scanned letter. The low-blood-sugar signs come from the UK's NHS; India's emergency number is 112.

We checked CDSCO's alerts page, not every monthly list of failed samples. Reports of the Gurugram case differ on the date and value, so we give the range. We left out a paywalled news feature and a trade-site claim we couldn't read in full.

Before you move on

  • Fake Mounjaro pens were seized in Gurugram in April 2026.
  • A licensed pharmacy, a prescription and a bill matter more than any single pack check.
  • "Research use only" vials are not approved medicines.
  • Report a suspected fake to your state drugs controller, and side effects to PvPI.
Side effects and risksAlready on itDoctor questions

More from the India blog

INIndiaWhat changed for Ozempic when semaglutide's patent expired in India? INIndiaMounjaro side effects: what the trials and the label say INIndiaIs there an Ozempic tablet? Rybelsus and oral semaglutide in India
About GLP Guidebook

The monthly India update

An independent guide to GLP‑1 medicines. We don't sell medicines, take drug-company money or earn clinic commissions. Once a month: new brands, price changes, approvals, recalls and safety alerts. How we write

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Sources

  1. The Week (Pooja Biraia). Counterfeit Mounjaro seizure in Gurugram raises fresh concerns over fake drugs market. 30 April 2026. Link
  2. Medical Dialogues (Parthika Patel). Gurugram bust: Rs 70 lakh counterfeit Eli Lilly Mounjaro recovered, 2 arrested. 20 April 2026. Link
  3. The Statesman. Fake Mounjaro injections 'made at home', pushed on NCR streets: Gurugram bust exposes ₹56 lakh racket. April 2026. Link
  4. The Tribune. Eli Lilly issues high alert after Rs 56 lakh fake Mounjaro injections seized in Gurugram. 30 April 2026. Link
  5. BusinessToday (Neetu Chandra Sharma). Looking for Mounjaro for your weight-loss journey? Best to buy from authorised channels (report of Lilly's statement). 30 April 2026. Link
  6. CDSCO, Enforcement & Intelligence Cell. Alert on theft of multiple drug products of M/s Novo Nordisk during transit. F. No. Enforc-11021(11)/46/2025-eoffice, 21 August 2025. PDF · archived copy
  7. Business Standard (Sanket Koul). CDSCO asks states, UTs to monitor surrogate promotion for GLP-1 drugs. 19 May 2026. Link
  8. World Health Organization. Medical Product Alert N°2/2024: Falsified OZEMPIC (semaglutide). 19 June 2024. Link
  9. World Health Organization. WHO issues warning on falsified medicines used for diabetes treatment and weight loss. 20 June 2024. Link
  10. US FDA. FDA warns consumers not to use counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) found in U.S. drug supply chain. Updates of 21 Dec 2023, 14 Apr 2025 and 5 Dec 2025 (US alert, not Indian). Link
  11. UK MHRA. Drug Safety Update: Falsified Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens. 24 February 2026 (UK alert, not Indian). PDF
  12. Eli Lilly and Company. Identify real Lilly medicine (counterfeit and "research use only" products), lilly.com. Accessed 5 October 2026. Cited as plain text, not linked.
  13. Eli Lilly and Company. Check the authenticity of your Zepbound and Mounjaro medication (US packs only), scan.lilly.com. Accessed 5 October 2026. Cited as plain text, not linked.
  14. Zelthy. Schedule H2 expanded: G.S.R. 506(E), 22 June 2026, new drug categories. Accessed 5 October 2026. Link
  15. Medical Dialogues. Union Health Ministry notifies 300 drug brands under Schedule H2. 21 November 2022. Link
  16. US FDA. FDA's concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss. Content current as of 1 October 2026 (US source). Link
  17. CDSCO. New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, Rule 74. PDF · archived copy
  18. Medical Dialogues (Farhat Nasim). Recalls by Dr Reddy's, Torrent put spotlight on quality standards in India's semaglutide market. 10 July 2026. Link
  19. PIB Research (Government of India). GLP-1 drugs: use, risks, and regulation. 1 April 2026. PDF
  20. Outlook India. Govt cracks down on unauthorised sale of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, warns of legal action (government statement). 1 April 2026. Link
  21. CDSCO. Recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism), 20–21 April 2023. Item 1, tirzepatide. PDF · archived copy
  22. CDSCO. Recommendations of the Subject Expert Committee (Endocrinology & Metabolism), 13–14 February 2024. Items 3–4, semaglutide. PDF · archived copy
  23. CDSCO. List of State Licensing Authorities / Drugs Controllers, as on 24 April 2026. PDF · archived copy
  24. CDSCO. Guidelines for taking action on samples of drugs declared spurious or not of standard quality in the light of enhanced penalties under the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment) Act, 2008. PDF · archived copy
  25. CDSCO. Latest alerts, and contact details. Accessed 5 October 2026. Link · archived copy
  26. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI): helpline, app and FAQ. Accessed 5 October 2026. Link · FAQ
  27. NHS. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia): symptoms and when to get help (UK source). Accessed 5 October 2026. Link
  28. Eli Lilly and Company. What to know about retatrutide. Last updated September 2026. Link
  29. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Section 27 (penalty for manufacture, sale, etc. of drugs), clauses (a) and (c), as amended in 2008. Indian Kanoon text. Accessed 5 October 2026. Link
  30. CDSCO, Enforcement and Intelligence Cell. Notice: Availability of Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) alert on new link in CDSCO website. 28 August 2025. PDF · archived copy
  31. Eli Lilly and Company. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) US prescribing information and instructions for use, revised January 2026 (US label, not Indian). PDF
  32. Novo Nordisk. Ozempic (semaglutide) US prescribing information, revised May 2026 (US label, not Indian). PDF

Last checked 5 Oct 2026 · Next review due 5 Apr 2027 · Report an error

How this post was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. It's general information, not medical advice. Talk to a qualified doctor before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write