South Africa recently became the first African nation to introduce Wegovy, Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss injection.
This weekly semaglutide jab, which shares an identical active ingredient with Ozempic, launched in the country just over a month ago.
Since its debut, demand for the weight-loss jab has been high, but so have the barriers to access. For many South Africans, the cost remains out of reach.
AT WHAT COST?
According to Reuters, one in two South African adults lives with obesity or excess weight, making the market for weight-loss treatments significant. Yet, affordability is a barrier. A month’s supply of Wegovy at the highest dose (2.4 mg) costs around R3,700, placing it out of reach for many households.
Adding to the challenge, most medical aid schemes in South Africa do not currently cover obesity treatment. This means patients will likely pay out of pocket.
COMPETITION AND SHORTAGES
Wegovy entered a market with Ozempic and Mounjaro already in use. Ozempic is used off-label for weight loss; Mounjaro is approved for diabetes but often prescribed off-label too.
Pharmacists have already reported sporadic shortages of these weight-loss drugs overseas, with global demand outstripping supply. South Africa has not yet seen major stock issues, but experts warn it could be on the horizon as more patients seek prescriptions.
EXPERTS WARN OF INEQUALITY
South Africa faces one of the highest obesity rates globally, with nearly half of adults overweight or obese, according to the Human Sciences Research Council. Public health experts warn that high-cost drugs like Wegovy risk widening the healthcare gap.
“Urban patients in private healthcare may access Wegovy, but in rural areas and the public sector, it is not even an option,” one obesity advocacy group told MedicalBrief.
Unless medical aids step in or prices drop, Wegovy risks being a niche product in a country battling a widespread obesity crisis.
