The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has raised alarm about dangerous fake versions of popular diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro being sold illegally for weight loss.
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A statement released by SAPHRA confirms that neither Ozempic nor Mounjaro is approved for weight loss in South Africa.
While genuine Ozempic is available in SA, it’s only approved for treating diabetes and major adverse cardiovascular events, reports The Citizen. Mounjaro, although registered, hasn’t yet been officially imported into the country.
The only safe way to obtain a prescription for these medicines is through authorised medical channels, ie. by visiting a licensed doctor, getting a prescription, and filling it at a registered pharmacy. Buying from websites or social media platforms is both illegal and dangerous.
SAHPRA has identified several websites selling unauthorised versions of these medicines. These include juiceheads.co.za, sallyslimming.co.za, slimnburn.co.za, and anabolicsza.com.
The authority warns that these sellers are operating illegally and their products pose serious health risks.
“SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, stressed that safeguarding the well-being of the South African public remains a primary concern for the regulatory authority,” the statement reads.
“SAHPRA is monitoring the supply chain as well as the online platforms for unregistered, substandard, and falsified medicines containing or claiming to contain semaglutide. We are also investigating any contraventions relating to the Medicines and Related Substances,” adds Dr Semete-Makokotlela.
Members of the public who spot fake versions of these medicines being sold can report them to SAHPRA’s hotline at 0800 204 307 or online.
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Feature Image: Getty
