Sales of Certain Weight Loss Drugs Banned in Russia

In Russia, a number of weight loss drugs containing dangerous substances, including narcotic components such as coca leaves and ephedra, have been removed from marketplaces. Some dietary supplements (DS) were found to have overdoses of active substances, posing a serious threat to consumer health.

New Regulations for Dietary Supplements

As of September 1, 2025, significant changes in the regulation of dietary supplements have come into effect. Doctors can now recommend to patients only those supplements that are included in the official list and have state registration. The sale of dietary supplements not included in this list is prohibited.

Criteria for Banning the Sale of Dietary Supplements

• Lack of state registration
• Presence of prohibited substances or exceeding permissible norms
• Sale under the guise of food products
• Lack of reliable information about the manufacturer and seller

Rospotrebnadzor has been granted the right to block websites that disseminate information about the sale of banned dietary supplements without going to court. This also applies to marketplaces, where a large number of illegal and dangerous supplements were previously found.

Features of the New Restrictions

The use of feed additives, hormonal drugs, pesticides, agrochemicals, and other potentially dangerous substances in the production of dietary supplements is prohibited. Doctors cannot prescribe dietary supplements for remuneration from manufacturers or issue prescriptions on forms with advertisements.

These measures are aimed at increasing the safety of dietary supplements on the market and protecting citizens' health from low-quality and dangerous drugs.