BHEKISISA: The first generic weight loss drug has hit SA — will it be enough to kill the black market?
South Africa’s first generic semaglutide injection arrived in August, with many more expected. More competition should push down the price of blockbuster GLP-1 drugs – but will they become cheap enough to stamp out a booming black market and reach the public-sector patients who need them?
In August, South Africa welcomed its first generic semaglutide injection, a low-cost alternative to blockbuster GLP-1 drugs. While more competition could drive down prices, will it be enough to curb a booming black market and reach public-sector patients? GLP-1s, named for the hormone they mimic, have revolutionized weight loss and diabetes treatment since John Eng's discovery in the 1990s.
Expensive treatments like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have become unaffordable, even for high earners, leaving the black market as the go-to option. With patents on semaglutide expiring in March, generics are now being tested in South Africa. However, the question remains: will these cheaper alternatives be affordable enough to curb the illegal market and provide necessary medication to those in need?
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
