Aspen Pharmacare has announced the local availability of Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide, marketed globally as Mounjaro.
Mounjaro, the once-weekly glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to treat adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, has been approved by the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
Towards the end of last year, Aspen said it had entered into a distribution and promotion agreement with Lilly to extend access to that company’s portfolio of medicines to South Africa and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group chief executive said: “Aspen values our relationship with Lilly and its recognition of Aspen as its chosen partner in Southern Africa to assist in contributing towards arresting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which include and diabetes.”
Tirzepatide is available in single-dose vials, with a KwikPen presentation currently under evaluation at SAHPRA.
Further afield, meanwhile, Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has warned people to avoid buying weight-loss medicines without a prescription and from beauty salons or via social media
“At this time of year,” said Andy Morling, MHRA deputy director of criminal enforcement, “with many of us thinking about shedding excess weight, we see people offering weight loss medicines for sale as a quick fix, without a healthcare professional’s prescription, from beauty salons, websites and on social media. These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.”
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said the decision to start, continue or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their prescribing healthcare professional – such as a GP – based on full consideration and discussion of the benefits and risks.
“Be aware of fake pharmacy websites and social media posts offering weight-loss medicines illegally without a prescription.”
Morling added that criminals go to great lengths to make their website storefronts look authentic and convincing.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Aspen ready to help shrink global shortage of weight-loss drugs
Aspen and Lilly seal drug deal for SA
SA facing diabetes ‘pandemic’ as cases soar among young people