SAHPRA warns against use of diabetes drugs for weight loss

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is urging South Africans trying to lose weight to refrain from using Ozempic and Mounjaro as they are not approved for weight management in the country.

The concern comes amid a rapid increase in the sale and presence of counterfeit Glucagon-like Peptide (GLP-1) products, such as Ozempic, on the local market.

While the drugs are mostly used to help lower blood sugar levels and can be used to promote weight loss, counterfeit ones are making their way onto the market.

The authority says the drug is not registered in SA for weight management but is used for the treatment of diabetes.

SAHPRA’s Deon Poovan says the illegal use of the drug poses a health risk to the public.

“It is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in adults with type 2 diabetes who have known heart disease,” says Poovan.

 

Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which is also used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus, is also gaining traction in South Africa.

South Africans are not the only ones who are using Ozempic for weight loss. Some celebrities such as Lizzo and Ariana Grande are among those who have reportedly been using it. But have denied the claims.

Ozempic is a weekly injection that helps lower blood sugar by helping the pancreas produce more insulin and it is claimed that it can lead to an average weight loss of around 6kg in about 40 weeks.

Poovan says people need to get a prescription of the drugs through authorised medical channels that is by getting a prescription from a licensed doctor.

SAHPRA says several websites like juiceheads.co.za, sallyslimming.co.za, slimnburn.co.za, and anabolicsza.com have been selling the unauthorised versions of the medicines.

Poovan has urged citizens to avoid buying such medicines from the cited websites and pharmacies.

Well I saw an influencer selling Ozempic on Instagram. She plain outright advertised it like that 😭

— Mysista_wa_SouthAfrica🇿🇦 (@NkagiM_) November 8, 2024

I tolr her you can’t get Ozempic in South Africa bruh

— Luke Skyyvodka (@_DarthGayder_) November 5, 2024

Also Ozempic is literally meant for people suffering from diabetes and it’s caused s shortage for them in th3 states I don’t support that.

— Luke Skyyvodka (@_DarthGayder_) November 5, 2024

Imagine if a person took the $10,000 they are going to spend on Ozempic per year and spent it on proper diet and a gym membership instead.

— Gordon Johnson (@HeadSpaceSpace1) November 12, 2024

A little surprised that you have not been paying attention about Ozempic. Not a good drug. Perhaps you could look at the insert for its side effects. And also considering Novo Nordisk is a Danish company, perhaps you could explain why Denmark does not approve this drug.

— Roy MacGregor (@Polledbreeder) November 12, 2024