Staff Reporter|Published
Social media influencers, hairdressers and gym instructors are allegedly selling unapproved weight-loss drugs in South Africa, including an experimental obesity treatment that has not been cleared for use anywhere in the world.
The Pharmaceutical Task Group (PTG) has called for police action against the illegal trade, warning that consumers are being exposed to potentially dangerous medicines. Its chairperson, Stavros Nicolaou, raised the alarm at a roundtable on counterfeit medicines on Wednesday, October 14.
Experimental weight-loss drug sold openly
Nicolaou singled out retatrutide, an experimental obesity treatment being developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
The drug is still undergoing clinical trials and has not been approved by any medicines regulator for general use.
According to Nicolaou, the unregistered treatment is being sold by social media influencers, gym instructors and hairdressers.
The PTG represents pharmaceutical manufacturing associations whose member companies account for more than 80% of the medicines used in South Africa.
Nicolaou called for stronger enforcement against sellers of unregistered medicines, particularly in cases where evidence of illegal activity had already been submitted to law enforcement agencies.
Consumers face health risks
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned about unregistered weight-loss products being sold through social media and informal channels.
These products have not undergone the regulatory checks required to establish their safety, quality and effectiveness.
Consumers buying them cannot be certain that the products contain the advertised ingredients, that the dosage is correct or that they have been manufactured and stored safely.
Retatrutide remains an investigational treatment and is not an approved alternative to registered prescription medicines.
SAHPRA has previously warned that unauthorised medicines marketed as weight-loss treatments could expose consumers to serious health risks.
Illegal medicines disguised as cosmetics
Authorities are also concerned about how unregistered medicines are entering South Africa.
Border Management Authority commissioner and chief executive officer Michael Masiapato said some medicines were being imported under misleading customs declarations, including products declared as cosmetics.
SAHPRA has seized illicit medicines, opened criminal cases and referred healthcare professionals implicated in unlawful distribution to their professional councils.
However, the regulator said the progress of criminal cases depended on other institutions, including the police and prosecutors.
Pharmacies also under scrutiny
The South African Pharmacy Council is reviewing rules governing the preparation of customised medicines.
Council registrar and chief executive officer Vincent Tlala raised concerns about pharmacies preparing medicines in anticipation of demand rather than for particular patients.
The revised standards are expected to be considered in February 2027, with publication targeted for March 2027.