Weight-loss drugs: Crackdown could hit 300 000 South Africans

A crackdown on illegally compounded weight-loss drugs could affect up to 300 000 South Africans, leaving patients with fewer and potentially far more expensive treatment options.

Regulatory and legal action has targeted pharmacies illegally compounding GLP-1 medicines used for weight management.

Health management company Obiflex says patients who relied on compounded versions could now face monthly costs of between R4 000 and R6 000 for registered, doctor-prescribed alternatives.

Weight-loss drug crackdown hits South Africans

Obiflex CEO Shaun Barns said affordability remained one of the biggest obstacles for people seeking treatment.

“There are hundreds of thousands of South Africans, wanting to go on this weight-loss journey but they just simply can’t afford the R4000 to R6000,” Barns said.

The crackdown creates another concern.

Patients who cannot afford registered alternatives could turn to unregulated products sold through unofficial channels.

Barns warned that doing so could carry serious health risks.

Warning over illegal weight-loss drugs

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has previously warned consumers against buying weight-loss medicines from unverified suppliers.

Consumers should only obtain scheduled medicines through legitimate healthcare channels and accredited pharmacies.

Barns warned that illicit products may contain incorrect doses.

He said tests had found discrepancies of up to 40% between the dose stated on some product labels and what the products actually contained.

That means patients could unknowingly inject or take significantly more or less of a medicine than intended.

Registered treatment can cost thousands

The rapid growth in demand for GLP-1 medicines has created a lucrative market for weight-loss products in South Africa.

But price remains a major barrier.

Obiflex estimates that registered alternatives could cost patients between R4 000 and R6 000, depending on the treatment.

That leaves patients who previously relied on cheaper compounded products facing a difficult decision.

They can move to a registered alternative, stop treatment or risk buying products from an unregulated source.

Health authorities have warned that the last option could expose users to medicines that have not undergone the necessary checks for quality, safety and dosage.

SAHPRA urges caution

SAHPRA has urged consumers to check where their medicine comes from before buying weight-loss products, especially those advertised online or through social media.

The regulator has previously taken action against operations linked to unauthorised weight-loss medicines and warned about products containing active pharmaceutical ingredients without the required regulatory controls.