South Africa has yet to begin assessing GLP-1 obesity treatment for public sector patients, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending these medicines for long-term obesity management in December 2025. The Department of Health is considering adding GLP-1 medicines to its essential medicines list for diabetes treatment. However, it has not started evaluating their use specifically for obesity. Rebone Ntsie,…
Tag: semaglutide
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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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Aspen Pharmacare Earnings Jump 22% on Mounjaro Demand
Aspen Pharmacare earnings surged in its latest financial year, with normalised headline earnings per share climbing 22% on the back of booming demand for weight-loss medicines. Africa’s largest drugmaker reported the rise on Wednesday for the year ending 30 June. The standout driver was Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, which Aspen promotes and sells across South Africa and other Sub-Saharan African markets…
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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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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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Sun Pharma’s Generic Semaglutide Gets SA Approval
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received regulatory approval to manufacture and sell a generic semaglutide injection in South Africa. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, or SAHPRA, approved the medicine for adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medicine Ozempic. It is also used in the company’s Wegovy weight-loss treatment. The…
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iDexis Semaglutide Ban Ordered By High Court
The High Court has temporarily stopped pharmacy group iDexis from manufacturing, supplying and marketing weight-loss medicines containing semaglutide. The iDexis semaglutide ban follows an application by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. The company manufactures Ozempic and Wegovy. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in both medicines. Ozempic is registered as a treatment for diabetes. Wegovy is approved for weight management. The…
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Compounded GLP-1 Injections Spark Regulatory Battle
South African pharmaceutical firm iDexis is fighting back against local healthcare regulators over its Compounded GLP-1 Weight-Loss Injections. The company strongly defends its product safety amid serious compliance allegations. The dispute follows a joint statement by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). The regulators ordered an immediate recall of the company’s…
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Unregistered GLP-1 Medicines Crackdown Escalates In SA
The national medicines regulator has intensified its enforcement action against the unlawful manufacture and distribution of unregistered GLP-1 therapies. This development comes as concerns grow over South Africa’s rapidly expanding and largely unregulated weight-loss drug market. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) confirmed they seized several injectable products. The raid took…