The growing popularity of injectable weight-loss medicines has transformed conversations around obesity and weight management in South Africa. However, as demand continues to rise, healthcare professionals are warning patients that convenience and lower prices should never come at the expense of safety.
Interest in medicines containing semaglutide, originally developed to help people living with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar, has grown significantly because of their role in weight management. Yet experts caution that not every product marketed as semaglutide offers the same level of quality assurance, regulatory oversight or patient protection.
Recent regulatory concerns in South Africa have highlighted the potential risks associated with unregistered or improperly supplied GLP-1/GIP injectable medicines, particularly when patients are unsure of a product’s origin, manufacturing standards or appropriate use.
The Real Question Is Safety
According to Cindi Benjamin, Pharmacovigilance and Compliance Pharmacist at Pharma Dynamics, the conversation should not focus on one supplier or product, but rather on whether a medicine has been properly reviewed by regulators and supplied through recognised healthcare channels.
For patients, the most important consideration is whether the medicine has been assessed by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and is prescribed, dispensed and monitored by qualified healthcare professionals.
Rising Demand Is Creating Confusion
The increasing demand for injectable weight-loss treatments has also created confusion among consumers.
Many products are promoted through social media, wellness platforms and online channels as quicker or more affordable alternatives to registered medicines. While these offers may appear attractive, experts warn that patients should exercise caution.
Currently, there are no registered generic semaglutide products available on the South African market.
Although additional pharmaceutical companies are expected to enter the market in the future, expanding access to registered medicines, patients are encouraged to consult their doctor or pharmacist about appropriate SAHPRA-registered treatment options instead of relying on unverified sources.
Why Regulatory Approval Matters
Benjamin explains that all medicines carry potential risks and side effects, including semaglutide. The key difference lies in whether a product has undergone formal regulatory review.
“Patients may assume that all products marketed as semaglutide are equivalent, but that is simply not the case,” says Benjamin.
“A SAHPRA-approved medicine has undergone extensive evaluation for quality and efficacy. With unregistered products, there may be uncertainty around ingredients, sterility, potency, storage conditions and dose accuracy. These are particularly important considerations for injectable medicines.”
Before approving a semaglutide medicine, SAHPRA requires manufacturers to provide evidence relating to quality and efficacy. This includes information about the active ingredient, manufacturing processes, production facilities, quality controls, stability, labelling, dosing information and clinical data.
For injectable medicines, regulators also carefully assess sterility, purity, dose consistency and cold-chain integrity.
Global Concerns Mirror South Africa’s
South Africa is not alone in raising these concerns.
International regulators have also cautioned healthcare professionals and patients about compounded or unregistered semaglutide products, highlighting potential issues such as inaccurate dosing and insufficient clinical oversight.
Approved medicines are manufactured according to strict specifications and supplied with standardised dosing instructions and packaging. Products supplied outside recognised regulatory systems may not provide the same assurance regarding quality, consistency, traceability, storage conditions or safe administration.
Because injectable medicines require accurate dosing and proper administration, professional guidance remains an essential safeguard for patient safety.
Protecting Yourself as a Patient
Benjamin advises consumers to be especially cautious of injectable medicines promoted through social media, unauthorised distributors or unverified online sellers.
“Patients may be attracted by lower prices or easier access, but they should first confirm that the product has undergone formal assessment for quality and efficacy, and that it can be appropriately traced and monitored should a safety concern arise,” she says.
Healthcare professionals recommend that patients:
- Only use semaglutide that has been prescribed and dispensed by a healthcare professional.
- Confirm with their pharmacist that the medicine is SAHPRA-registered.
- Avoid purchasing injectable medicines through social media platforms or unverified online sellers.
Quality Should Always Come First
As interest in semaglutide and other injectable weight-loss medicines continues to grow, healthcare experts say informed decision-making has never been more important.
Patients are encouraged to seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist, verify that any medicine they receive has been supplied through regulated healthcare channels and prioritise quality, safety and appropriate medical oversight over convenience.
When it comes to injectable medicines, choosing a properly regulated treatment can make all the difference.
