Aspen targeting Mounjaro expansion will bring the high-demand drug Mounjaro to Sub-Saharan Africa. Mounjaro is also known as tirzepatide. Launches across the continent are anticipated in 2026. CEO Stephen Saad confirmed this plan. He announced it in his annual letter to shareholders. The move follows major success in South Africa. It also comes after a new regulatory approval. This approval…
Tag: diabetes
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Aspen Boosted by Mounjaro: A New Era in Weight Loss
Aspen Pharmacare’s share price saw a notable increase. This followed the announcement that the high-profile diabetes drug, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), has received approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for use as a chronic weight management treatment. Aspen was notably boosted by Mounjaro’s approval, signalling a positive development for the company. The JSE-listed pharmaceutical giant confirmed that SAHPRA…
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A Diabetes Data Crisis is Making the Epidemic Invisible in SA
South Africa is grappling with a severe public health emergency as diabetes solidifies its position as one of the nation’s leading causes of death, according to Statistics South Africa. This alarming situation is part of a larger diabetes data crisis. Yet, a shocking and abrupt revision in international estimates has revealed a parallel crisis: the country does not reliably know…
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Cheaper Weight-Loss Drugs for Global Health Needs
\n\nThe decision directly affects the popular GLP-1 agonist drugs, including the active ingredients in brands like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. \n\n\n\nThe WHO’s recommendation aims to pressure pharmaceutical giants to lower prices and encourage the production of affordable generic versions. This is particularly important for people in developing countries, where they are needed most.\n\n\n\nThis move underscores the severity of the global…
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Leading Causes of Death in South Africa Revealed
South Africa recorded a significant 22% decline in deaths in 2022. Mortality rates returned to near pre-pandemic levels, according to new data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). However, the report highlights a concerning shift in the leading causes of death. Diabetes mellitus now tops the list for both men and women. The number of deaths dropped sharply to…
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GLP-1 Drugs Lower Cancer Rates in Weight Loss Study
New findings suggest that popular GLP-1 drugs, widely prescribed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, may significantly influence a patient’s risk of developing certain cancers. This is mainly for the better. A comprehensive review of medical records has uncovered a compelling link. It found that the use of GLP-1 agonists – such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound –…
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Unregulated Glucose Monitors Pose Risk to Diabetics
While continuous glucose monitors are increasingly popular as wellness gadgets for tracking lifestyle and diet, their lack of formal regulatory oversight means many devices may not be safe or reliable for medical use. The rise of unregulated glucose monitors makes the matter more complicated. Medical specialists and patient advocates are raising urgent concerns over the booming and unregulated market for…
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African Form of Type 1 Diabetes Challenges Old Beliefs
A recent discovery will reshape our understanding of how type 1 diabetes develops, particularly in individuals of African descent. Researchers have identified a new African form of type 1 diabetes that appears to be distinct from the typical autoimmune response. This finding could have profound implications for diagnosis and management worldwide, especially concerning the African form of type 1 diabetes.…
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Childhood Obesity: Addressing Lifestyle Diseases Early
**Focus Keywords:** Childhood obesity South Africa, child health, lifestyle diseases, hypertension in children, SAMRC study, healthy eating for kids A devastating childhood obesity crisis is leading to children, some as young as five, developing severe lifestyle-related diseases. These are typically found in middle-aged adults, a new study from South Africa has revealed. Poor eating habits and a lack of physical…
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Ghana’s Diabetes Crisis: A Public Health Emergency
For an estimated 2.4 million people in Ghana living with diabetes, a manageable chronic illness has become a desperate daily struggle for survival. By exploring Ghana’s diabetes crisis, we uncover how families become trapped in a devastating cycle. They must choose between essential medication and basic needs like food and rent. As the cost of care continues to soar and…
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Ozempic and Mounjaro are reshaping South Africa’s health market
The landscape of weight management and diabetes treatment in South Africa is undergoing a dramatic transformation. This change is driven by the meteoric rise in popularity of a class of drugs known as GLP-1s, including Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications, initially developed for Type 2 diabetes, have shown significant efficacy in promoting weight loss. As a result, there is unprecedented…
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SA’s HIV success story creates new challenges
South Africa’s groundbreaking success in providing antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) to millions has transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition. Many benefit from this. SA’s HIV success story is evident, with roughly 6 million people now on ARVs in the public sector since the 2004 scale-up. This allows people living with HIV to live longer, healthier lives,…