Step aside, Ozempic. There is a new daily pill with the roughly same benefits: sans a pointy, painful needle. Orforglipron, a daily tablet developed for people with Type 2 diabetes, is being considered as a possible alternative to well-known injectable drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which are commonly used to treat both diabetes and support weight loss.
Developed by Eli Lilly, the pill belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help lower blood sugar and support weight loss. Unlike current treatments, orforglipron is not taken with an injection, making it easier to use.
In a clinical trial that involved 559 people with Type 2 diabetes who took the pill for 40 weeks, they saw their blood sugar drop and lost up to 7kg, with 65% reaching normal blood sugar levels. Side effects included nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation.
More research is still required to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Eli Lilly plans to seek approval for obesity treatment this year and for diabetes treatment in 2026.
So what’s the issue? Access in SA
While GLP-1 medications have shown promising results, they remain largely out of reach for most South Africans due to high costs. In the private sector, some GLP-1 drugs are available with a doctor’s prescription, but they are not covered by many medical aid schemes, especially when prescribed for weight loss, which is considered “off-label” use. In the public healthcare sector, these drugs are not yet available.
This limited access is deeply concerning, given the scale of South Africa’s health crisis. Around 5.6 million people are living with diabetes, and nearly 27% of adults are considered obese.
Experts argue that traditional advice, like eating better and exercising, is not enough to address the obesity epidemic.
There is a global pressure for change
The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently reviewing whether GLP-1 medications should be added to essential treatment for diabetes and obesity, a move that could encourage governments to make these drugs more widely available. While they were excluded in the 2023 update, the WHO is expected to revisit this decision this year and is also working on global guidelines for using these drugs to treat obesity.
WHO experts have said the availability of these treatments could transform how health systems address obesity worldwide.
Until then, millions of South Africans remain without access to some of the most effective treatments for diabetes and obesity – conditions that continue to claim lives and strain the country’s healthcare system.
How much do GLP-1s cost in South Africa?
While GLP-1 agonists are gaining traction globally for their dual benefit in treating type 2 diabetes and supporting weight loss, affordability remains a key concern in South Africa.
In South Africa, Ozempic is currently the only widely available semaglutide, costing between R2,700 and R6,200 a month, depending on the dose. Mounjaro, a newer option launched in late 2024, costs around R4,600 monthly. These high prices make it difficult for many people to afford, especially those using the drugs for weight loss, which medical aids often don’t cover.
As orforglipron moves closer to approval, it offers hope for a more accessible and convenient option in the fight against diabetes and obesity.
Lona is a recent graduate with an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from Wits University. Passionate about storytelling, she is eager to learn, grow, and hone her writing skills.
