Retail pharmacy competition is intensifying in South Africa as Dis-Chem and Clicks expand loyalty discounts and compete for prescription volumes. Dis-Chem CEO Rui Morais also sees a longer-term threat from Shoprite, whose Checkers Sixty60 app already has millions of customers accustomed to ordering from their phones. Morais expects Shoprite to add medicine delivery eventually. He says pharmacist sign-off requirements and…
Tag: GLP-1 Medicines
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Illegal Weight-Loss Medicines Face Regulatory Crackdown
Illegal weight-loss medicines are facing increased scrutiny as pharmaceutical manufacturers demand stronger law enforcement and regulators prepare tighter rules governing compounded obesity treatments. The Pharmaceutical Task Group (PTG) has called for prosecutions against individuals and businesses selling unregistered medicines. Meanwhile, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and South African Pharmacy Council are developing updated compounding standards. The interventions…
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JSE healthcare shares: Aspen leads gains
JSE healthcare shares have advanced this year, with Aspen Pharmacare’s recovery outpacing gains at Netcare and Life Healthcare. However, analysts say sustained growth will depend on manufacturing execution and hospital patient volumes. Aspen has gained about 40% since January and more than 60% over 12 months. At roughly R160 this week, its market value stood near R69bn. Aspen Leads JSE…
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GLP-1 Obesity Support Expanded by Vitality
Discovery Vitality is expanding GLP-1 obesity support as demand for anti-obesity medicines continues to rise among South African medical scheme members. The rewards programme says medication alone may not deliver lasting results. It is therefore adding doctor-led assessments to its HealthyWeight programme, alongside existing diet and exercise support. The assessment may result in a prescription for anti-obesity medication where clinically…
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GLP-1 Alone Won’t Solve South Africa’s Diabetes Crisis
GLP-1 medicines are drawing intense interest, but health experts say they cannot resolve South Africa’s diabetes crisis on their own. Deeper answers lie in earlier diagnosis, stronger primary care, healthier food environments, and long-term patient support. Diabetes was the country’s leading underlying natural cause of death in 2023, claiming 27,692 lives, or 5.8% of all recorded deaths, according to Stats…
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Extensior Launch Cuts Ozempic Cost By 15%
Novo Nordisk will launch Extensior in South Africa on 31 July. The medicine contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but will cost about 15% less. The lower price could reduce monthly expenses for patients who pay for semaglutide themselves. However, the discount is unlikely to persuade medical schemes to expand funding for the costly diabetes treatment. Extensior will be…
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Medicine Safety Under Scrutiny after iDexis Case
Recent court proceedings involving Pretoria-based compounding pharmacy iDexis have placed semaglutide medicine safety in the spotlight. The dispute has sparked debate about access to medicines, intellectual property rights and the regulatory powers of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). It has also drawn attention to rising demand for medicines containing semaglutide. This is the active ingredient in registered…
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Aspen Semaglutide Canada Approval Clears Market Entry
Aspen Pharmacare has received Health Canada approval for Aspen-Semaglutide, its generic version of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medicine Ozempic. Aspen, Africa’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, announced that its Canadian subsidiary had secured the regulatory authorisation. The medicine has been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes. The decision gives Aspen access to Canada’s expanding market for GLP-1 medicines. However, regulatory approval…
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Extensior South Africa Launch Targets Lower-Cost Access
Novo Nordisk is preparing to launch a lower-cost, authorised version of Ozempic in South Africa. The Extensior South Africa launch aims to improve access to regulated semaglutide treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Extensior is scheduled to become available from 27 July. Novo Nordisk has partnered with pharmaceutical company Acino to distribute the medicine nationwide. The treatment contains semaglutide,…
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Telehealth GLP-1 Prescribing Sparks Safety Fears
A Yale University study has identified serious weaknesses in how some telehealth providers prescribe GLP-1 weight-loss medications. The secret shopper study examined 49 online healthcare providers. Researchers used a fictional patient who met the clinical criteria for GLP-1 treatment. The findings suggest that several virtual clinics may be prioritising fast access to prescriptions over detailed medical care. This could expose…
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Aspen Chair Transition: Ben Kruger To Succeed Dlamini
Aspen Pharmacare chair Kuseni Dlamini will step down from the pharmaceutical group’s board in December 2026. Veteran director and former banking executive Ben Kruger will succeed him as chair. Aspen said Dlamini would not make himself available for re-election as a director. The company’s annual general meeting is scheduled for December. His departure will conclude a 14-year tenure on the…
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Dis-Chem Better Rewards Programme Drives Revenue
Dis-Chem says a revamped loyalty strategy is translating into faster growth and market share gains. The retailer reported a 10.1% increase in group revenue in the 24 weeks to mid-February, supported by strong wholesale momentum and an uplift in retail performance linked to its new Better Rewards programme. Group retail revenue rose 9.5% in the period. Wholesale revenue increased 15.7%,…