By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@Olga Gorkun via Adobe Stock.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has issued a warning to the public regarding the purchase and use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) products advertised on social media platforms claiming to aid in weight loss.
In a statement, “SAHPRA revealed that these products are being illegally marketed by entities not based in South Africa and are being shipped from China, not from local warehouses as falsely claimed.
“The Authority emphasized the dangers of buying medications from unknown online sources, stressing the importance of purchasing prescribed medicines only from licensed and reputable pharmacies to avoid potential risks associated with undisclosed harmful ingredients.”
SAHPRA urges the public to exercise caution when they are buying medicines online, from unknown websites or social media pages, as these medicines may contain dangerous/harmful ingredients that might not be disclosed to the patients by the seller.
“Safeguarding the well-being of the South African public remains a primary concern for the regulatory authority. SAHPRA is monitoring the supply chain as well as the online platforms for unregistered, substandard, and falsified medicines containing or claiming to contain GLP-1 Substances,” indicated SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious medicine sales or false claims of SAHPRA approval. You can report through these whistleblower platforms, SAHPRA’s 24-hour hotline (0800 204 307) or via our web reporting facility: https://bit.ly/3nrku5t.