Wegovy Has Landed in South Africa: Here’s the Scoop

Big news in the health world! Wegovy, the much-talked-about weight-loss injection, has finally arrived in South Africa. So, what’s the hype about and why should we care? Let’s break it down:

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What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a once-a-week injection that helps with weight loss. It contains something called semaglutide, which works by helping you feel full for longer, slowing down digestion, and keeping blood sugar in check.

Unlike Ozempic, which is used for diabetes, Wegovy is actually made for weight management. In trials, people lost about 15% of their body weight in just over a year when using it alongside healthy habits.

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The South African Launch

On 14 August 2025, Novo Nordisk officially brought Wegovy to South Africa. It’s their first time introducing this treatment anywhere in Africa. The timing is big, because Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro is already here, but that one is only approved for diabetes at the moment.

At the launch, Sara Norcross from Novo Nordisk SA shared some heavy stats. Half of South African adults are overweight or obese. That’s more than two-thirds of women and about a third of men. Clearly, the need for effective treatments is massive.

Wegovy is already registered, licensed, and available here in five different dose options.

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How Much Does It Cost?

Here’s the part most people want to know. The highest dose will set you back about R3,700 a month, with lower doses costing a bit less. By comparison, Mounjaro starts around R3,400.

You’ll need a doctor’s prescription to get it, and right now, most medical aids don’t cover it. That’s because obesity is not yet officially seen as a chronic illness under medical aid rules. There are talks happening to possibly change that, but for now, it’s mostly out-of-pocket.

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Why It Matters

Obesity is becoming one of South Africa’s biggest health challenges. More than 30% of the population is already overweight or obese, and by 2030, almost half of all women could fall into this category.

The World Health Organization has even called obesity the “new epidemic” here. More people are now dying from obesity-related issues like heart disease and cancer than from HIV or TB. On top of that, about 15% of our healthcare spending goes to treating obesity-related conditions.

It’s not just about food choices. Things like the easy availability of fast food, neighborhoods that don’t encourage exercise, and even side effects of HIV treatments all make the problem worse.

Wegovy offers real hope, but the high cost means only a small part of the population can actually afford it. Without support from medical aids or government, there’s a risk it could make health gaps even bigger.

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What’s Next?

• More countries: Novo Nordisk wants to expand Wegovy to other African markets like Egypt.

• Cheaper options: South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare is already working on making affordable generic versions of these kinds of drugs by 2026.

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The arrival of Wegovy is a big step forward in fighting obesity in South Africa. It shows that powerful tools are becoming available, but it also highlights the need for fair access. For now, it’s a promising option, but only if the price and medical aid coverage catch up with the demand.