Ozempic shortage South Africa fears: doctors warn on weight-loss use and cost

Doctors raise concerns over Ozempic use for weight loss

Ozempic was developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, but South Africans are now using it to lose weight, according to a report published by Scrolla.Africa on 8 October 2026. The report said doctors are warning that this use carries serious risks and could mean paying for an expensive medicine over the long term.

According to the report, the medicine reduces hunger and helps people stay full for longer. It cited studies showing that people using its active ingredient, semaglutide, can lose up to 15% of their body weight, and noted that more than half of South African adults are overweight or obese.

Dr Marius Wasserfall, a specialist physician at Mediclinic, told the publication that the medicines are not a silver bullet but can help patients with obesity make meaningful progress when paired with healthy habits. He also warned that most of the weight lost is regained once the medication is stopped.

Side effects and shortage risks

The Scrolla.Africa report listed nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea as possible side effects. It described more serious problems as including:

• inflammation of the pancreas;
• gallbladder problems;
• dehydration that can damage the kidneys;
• dangerously low blood sugar in diabetes patients who also take insulin or certain other medicines, which can cause shaking, dizziness, confusion and, in severe cases, unconsciousness.

The report said rising demand has led to shortages in some markets, leaving some people with diabetes struggling to obtain their treatment. It warned that poorly controlled diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney damage and heart disease. Citing Statistics South Africa, it said diabetes killed 28 767 South Africans in 2024, or about 79 people a day.

The report also said the World Health Organization accepts that doctors may use these medicines for adults with obesity, together with healthy eating and exercise, but only under medical supervision. The WHO also cautioned about fake injections, high prices and shortages, according to the report. The publication stressed that diabetes patients should not stop or change their treatment without first speaking to a doctor.

What registered treatment may cost

Cost is a recurring theme in both reports. Scrolla.Africa said the injection is expensive and that many medical schemes do not cover it for weight loss.

Joburg ETC, in a report published on 5 October 2026 and based on reporting by The South African, said health management company Obiflex warned that registered alternatives could cost patients between R4 000 and R6 000 a month. Obiflex CEO Shaun Barns described affordability as a major barrier, saying many people who want weight management treatment cannot afford that monthly cost.

Price information from registered pharmacies is compared on the Semaglutide Scorecard pharmacy rating, and the method behind it is set out on the how we rate page.

Crackdown on compounded GLP-1 injections

Joburg ETC reported on 5 October 2026 that authorities are taking action against the unauthorised compounding of certain medicines, and that the crackdown could affect as many as 300 000 people who rely on compounded GLP-1 treatments. The report did not give a date for when the action began.

Barns warned that some people priced out of registered medicines might turn to unofficial channels. He said testing had found differences of up to 40% between the dose printed on the labels of some illicit products and the amount they actually contained, meaning users could receive more or less medicine than stated.

What the regulator advises

According to Joburg ETC, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has previously cautioned consumers against buying weight-loss medicines from unverified suppliers. The regulator advises that scheduled medicines be obtained through legitimate healthcare channels and accredited pharmacies, a warning the report said is particularly relevant to products sold online and through social media.

Both reports point readers towards qualified healthcare professionals. Anyone considering or currently using these medicines should discuss their options with a doctor or pharmacist. This article is for information only; see the medical disclaimer.