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: wegovy
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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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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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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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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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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 Pricing Could Disrupt Global Markets
New research reveals that manufacturers could sell generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, for less than $3 a month. This study highlights a massive gap between current list prices and actual production costs. It suggests a future where powerful weight-loss treatments are accessible to billions. The Massive Gap In Generic Semaglutide Pricing Researchers at the University…
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Eli Lilly 2026 Guidance Signals Momentum In Obesity Care
Eli Lilly has forecast 2026 profit and revenue above Wall Street expectations, reinforcing how fast the obesity market is reshaping Big Pharma growth plans. The recent Eli Lilly 2026 Guidance reflects the company’s confidence in strong future performance. The company also beat estimates for fourth-quarter earnings, helped by strong demand for its injectable weight-loss and diabetes medicines. For Q4, Lilly…
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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…