Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council: GLP-1 Warning on Unauthorized Sales

• The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council issued a warning this week about an increase in unauthorized GLP-1 and peptide medicines sold on social media for weight loss.
• This surge in demand for weight loss purposes is contributing to shortages of essential diabetes medications for patients in Namibia.
• The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledges ongoing medicine shortages in the public health system, with only one diabetes-related medicine listed among 46 items received in a recent update.
• Medical experts confirm that some diabetes drugs, like semaglutide, can aid weight loss but stress the importance of medical supervision and note that using Ozempic for weight loss without diabetes is considered 'off-label'.
• Approximately 90,000 Namibians live with diabetes, and the country recorded 6,844 new cases during the 2024/25 financial year.

The regulatory environment appears poised for increased scrutiny on the marketing and distribution of such compounds, especially those lacking proper registration or being promoted for unapproved indications.

The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) recently issued a public warning regarding a surge in the sale of unauthorized GLP-1 and peptide medicines. These products, often marketed on social media for weight loss, include substances also used in the treatment of diabetes. This regulatory alert comes as diabetes patients across Namibia report increasing difficulty in accessing essential medications, a problem exacerbated by a growing demand for these same drugs when used for cosmetic weight loss purposes.

Families of those affected describe a distressing situation where previously readily available diabetes treatments have become scarce. One individual, identified as Ndapanda, recounted her family's struggle to secure her mother's diabetes medication from pharmacies as early as the beginning of 2025. She noted the sudden and inexplicable unavailability of a drug that had always been in steady supply. The trend of using diabetes injections for weight loss gained traction globally among young professionals late last year, leading Ndapanda's family to resort to pre-ordering these vital injections since last year to ensure a consistent supply upon new stock arrivals.

Namibia faces a significant public health challenge with diabetes, with approximately 90,000 citizens living with the condition. The Ministry of Health and Social Services reported 6,844 new diabetes cases during the 2024/25 financial year, according to Minister Esperance Luvindao's statement last year. This substantial patient population is directly impacted by ongoing medicine shortages within the public health system, a reality acknowledged by the ministry itself.

Walters Kamaya, a spokesperson for the ministry, explained that medicine consignments are subject to delays, with outstanding items potentially being acquired in subsequent deliveries, such as "pharmaceutical update number seven." A pharmaceutical stock delivery update released on August 4 highlighted that Gliclazide 80mg, a medication used to manage high blood sugar in diabetes patients, was among the items received. However, this was the sole diabetes-related medicine listed among 46 pharmaceutical products delivered between July 16 and 31, underscoring the limited availability of specific diabetes treatments. While one Type 1 diabetes patient reported no issues with her own medication, she noted her father, who has Type 2 diabetes and relies on public facilities, frequently struggles to obtain his prescriptions from state pharmacies.

The Ministry of Health maintains a cautious stance when commenting on registered medicines, acknowledging that some are legitimately sold by businesses. Kamaya clarified that the ministry's role is to educate the public on why certain products lack registration and to warn against those that do not meet Namibia's stringent registration requirements, rather than to impede legal commercial activities. This distinction is crucial in the context of medicines like semaglutide and tirzepatide, which were initially developed for diabetes but have also shown efficacy in weight management.

Specialist physician Dr. Nobert Muramira emphasized that while some diabetes medications can indeed aid weight loss, their use must be under strict medical supervision. He pointed out that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, is also approved for weight management under a different brand name. However, using Ozempic specifically for weight loss by individuals without diabetes is considered an "off-label" application, as its license pertains to diabetes treatment, not weight management. Dr. Muramira noted that semaglutide can facilitate weight loss even at lower doses, though outcomes may vary with dosage, and he deems its use acceptable if properly administered and not self-medicated. Specialist physician Dr. Ismael Katjitae concurred, affirming the legitimate role of diabetes medicines for weight loss, provided they are prescribed to the appropriate patients.

The recent warning from the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council regarding unauthorized GLP-1 and peptide sales signals a heightened focus on pharmaceutical regulation within the country. This development, coupled with the acknowledged medicine shortages and the ministry's careful approach to registered products, underscores a complex landscape for healthcare providers, distributors, and pharmaceutical companies operating in Namibia. The proliferation of off-label semaglutide use Namibia for weight loss, particularly through informal channels like social media, directly impacts the availability of critical diabetes medications and raises significant public health concerns.

The regulatory environment appears poised for increased scrutiny on the marketing and distribution of such compounds, especially those lacking proper registration or being promoted for unapproved indications. This situation highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing patient access to essential medicines with the need for strict adherence to pharmaceutical regulation Namibia and medical best practices. The emphasis from medical professionals on supervised use and appropriate patient selection further reinforces the need for robust oversight to protect public health and ensure equitable access to life-saving treatments.

Lawyers advising pharmaceutical companies, distributors, or healthcare providers in Namibia should note the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council's warning regarding unauthorised GLP-1 and peptide medicine sales. This signals increased regulatory scrutiny on off-label marketing and distribution, potentially impacting compliance obligations and supply chain management for diabetes medications.

Source: Original reporting via The Namibian