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…
Tag: obesity
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GLP-1 Generics Could Reshape Local Obesity Market
A new wave of generic GLP-1 medicines could transform South Africa’s fast-growing obesity treatment market. Sun Pharma recently launched the country’s first generic semaglutide injection for type 2 diabetes through its Ranbaxy subsidiary. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is considering another 13 semaglutide applications. The opportunity is substantial. Morgan Stanley expects the global GLP-1 market to reach…
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Diabetes Deaths In SA Signal Urgent Public Health Emergency
Diabetes deaths in SA have risen sharply, and the disease has become one of South Africa’s most serious public health threats. New mortality figures show that it was the country’s leading underlying natural cause of death in 2023. According to death notification data processed by Stats SA and reviewed by the Diabetes Alliance, diabetes accounted for 27,692 deaths. That represented…
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GLP-1 Drugs In SA Start To Reshape Food And Alcohol Spend
GLP-1 drugs have moved fast. They started as treatments for type-2 diabetes. Now they are a global health and consumer trend. In South Africa, medicines such as Ozempic and other semaglutide-based therapies are attracting wider attention. The reason is simple. These drugs reduce appetite and support weight management. They also sit within a bigger shift towards preventive health. Some researchers…
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Obesity as a Chronic Disease: SA Pushes for Treatment Access
South Africa’s healthcare sector is stepping up calls to treat obesity as a chronic disease rather than a cosmetic concern. Clinicians and industry leaders say the shift is urgent. Obesity is rising fast. It also drives long-term costs across the health system. Globally, more than 1 billion people live with obesity. That figure is forecast to reach 1.91 billion by…
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Generic Semaglutide Set to Disrupt Global GLP‑1 Market
Aspen Pharmacare is gearing up to launch one of the world’s first generic semaglutide in Canada, capitalising on the recent loss of patent protection for Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster GLP‑1 weight‑loss injection. The move could be a pivotal moment for access and competition in an increasingly lucrative market. Canada’s early patent expiry of semaglutide has drawn global attention. Industry leaders see…
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GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Reshape Obesity Care In South Africa
South Africa’s fight against obesity has entered a decisive phase, driven by a surge in the medicalisation of treatment through GLP-1 weight loss drugs. In early 2026, two major medications, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide), have received key regulatory approvals, marking a new chapter in primary healthcare. With nearly 4.5 million South African adults living with obesity, the shift comes…
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Wegovy Weight-Loss Pill Offers Injectables Alternative
Novo Nordisk has unveiled promising new findings from its OASIS 4 phase 3 trial. The findings suggest that a daily Wegovy weight-loss pill could serve as a highly effective alternative to the widely used injectable formulation. The pharmaceutical giant’s latest data indicates that the oral version of the drug may offer a more accessible route for patients managing obesity. This…
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Obesity Drug Deal: Trump Cuts Prices for Patients
US President Donald Trump has announced a landmark deal with drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, set to significantly reduce the price of hugely popular obesity drugs for millions of Americans. The agreement, unveiled at the White House, will slash costs for injectable treatments like Wegovy and Zepbound, as well as two forthcoming oral medications. The deal aims to save…
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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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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…