Ozempic price in South Africa

Q: How do I get Ozempic in South Africa?

Get a prescription. Ozempic is a Schedule 4 medicine. Only a doctor can prescribe it. Choose a pharmacy. Compare how each one takes prescriptions, delivers and supports you. Ask for the final price. It cannot be higher than the highest legal price shown on this page.

Ozempic is a prescription medicine, and the law limits what a pharmacy can charge for it. We show that limit and compare how South African pharmacies fill Ozempic prescriptions.

Top of the ranking

Medipost Pharmacy

Courier pharmacy that delivers ongoing medicine across South Africa and answers on WhatsApp.

See price and how to order

Score 86 out of 100

Pharmacies that fill Ozempic prescriptions

1
Medipost Pharmacy
Courier pharmacy that delivers ongoing medicine across South Africa and answers on WhatsApp.
Best for prescriptionsStrongest credentialsFree delivery nationwideWhatsApp
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 2.9 (278, 2 branches)HelloPeter 1.6 (30)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 25 of 25
  Email your prescription or phone. Medipost explains the three steps, a pharmacist confirms the delivery date and address, and original prescriptions (including Schedule 6 and 7) are collected free at an address you choose.
- Delivery and collection 16 of 20
  Free delivery to any address in South Africa on the day agreed with you. Collection points are listed too. No fixed delivery time is given.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  There are phone lines for pharmacy, payment and parcel-tracking questions, and Medipost explains its dispensing fees. Stock is not published online.
- Customer support 10 of 10
  Separate phone lines for the pharmacy, customer care, the responsible pharmacist, parcel tracking and payments, an after-hours line for chronic medicine, email, a call centre in 11 languages, and published trading hours.
- Credentials 12 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 3 active Medipost pharmacies in Gauteng and the Western Cape, all with the top inspection grade. The responsible pharmacist’s contact details are on the website.
- Reach and payment options 5 of 5
  Serves more than 595,000 patients across the country, is contracted to most medical schemes, and lists its payment methods: debit order, credit card, or a deposit for co-payments.
online / courierScore 86 out of 100
2
Clicks
National chain. Upload your prescription on the website or in the app, then collect it or have it delivered where available.
Best for prescriptionsStrongest credentials855 branchesCollect or delivery
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 3.7 (1,213, 10 branches)HelloPeter 1.7 (704)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 25 of 25
  You can upload your prescription on the Clicks website or in the app and choose collection or delivery. Clicks says a prescription is valid for 30 days, and you hand the original to the driver.
- Delivery and collection 16 of 20
  Delivery where it is available, or collect in a store. For store orders, courier delivery costs R80 (free over R650) and click and collect R35 (free over R350). Prescription medicine is delivered by the pharmacy that fills it.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  Clicks says its medicine fees follow the regulated pricing rules, and the price is shown with your order. You cannot check stock of prescription medicine before you order.
- Customer support 8 of 10
  You can reach customer service by phone, email or the app, and Clicks lists the hours when you can talk to a pharmacist.
- Credentials 12 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 855 active Clicks pharmacies in all nine provinces, 794 with the top inspection grade. Clicks names its responsible pharmacist. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 4 of 5
  A national chain with 855 pharmacies. You can pay with a payment link, by card on delivery or in store. Clicks does not say whether it accepts medical aid.
chainScore 82 out of 100
3
Dis-Chem
National chain. Submit your prescription online and get doorstep delivery within 24 hours, or collect from a Dis-Chem pharmacy in about 2 hours.
Delivery within 24 hWhatsApp
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 4.0 (3,110, 10 branches)HelloPeter 1.8 (528)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 20 of 25
  You can send your prescription online and choose delivery or collection. Dis-Chem lists the service hours, says Schedule 6 medicines cannot be ordered this way, and offers PackMyMeds for repeats. It does not say what happens to the original prescription.
- Delivery and collection 16 of 20
  Doorstep delivery within 24 hours, or collection in about 2 hours. In some areas DeliverD brings orders in about 60 minutes, seven days a week. Dis-Chem does not state a delivery fee.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  You can ask customer care about price and stock by phone or WhatsApp. Dis-Chem does not publish medicine prices or stock online.
- Customer support 8 of 10
  Customer care by phone and WhatsApp, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:30 (closed at weekends and on public holidays), plus the Dis-Chem app.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 316 active Dis-Chem pharmacies in all nine provinces, 299 with the top inspection grade. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 4 of 5
  316 pharmacies in all nine provinces, with a store finder and an app. Dis-Chem does not say which payment methods or medical aids it accepts.
chainScore 73 out of 100
4
Pharmacy Direct
Courier pharmacy for ongoing medicine. Upload your prescription, get delivery and pharmacist help on WhatsApp.
Nationwide courierWhatsApp
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 3.0 (497)HelloPeter 2.6 (131)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 20 of 25
  You can upload your prescription in the member portal, and the FAQ explains the process clearly. The portal asks for your medical aid details, and the service is built around repeat prescriptions for chronic medicine, renewed every six months.
- Delivery and collection 12 of 20
  Courier delivery anywhere in South Africa on a 28-day cycle. Orders usually take 5 to 7 working days to process, and you cannot collect.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  There is an online store support line and a chronic medicine line. Pharmacy Direct says it charges no admin fees and low dispensing fees. Stock is not published online.
- Customer support 8 of 10
  Phone 086 002 7800, WhatsApp (including self-service), email and chat in the member portal. Opening hours are not listed.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 2 active Pharmacy Direct pharmacies in Gauteng, both with the top inspection grade. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 4 of 5
  Delivers nationwide, is the designated service provider for most medical aids, and takes payment online or by EFT.
online / courierScore 69 out of 100
5
Medirite
Chain inside Shoprite and Checkers stores. Courier service sends repeat prescriptions to your door free each month.
Widest reachFree monthly repeat delivery
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 4.0 (106, 10 branches)HelloPeter no profile
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 15 of 25
  Sign up for the Courier Pharmacy service and the pharmacy handles your repeat orders every month. You can also order by phone with Quick Collect, use PrepMyScript for repeats, or hand your prescription in at any Medirite. There is no general online upload.
- Delivery and collection 16 of 20
  Repeat medicine through the Courier Pharmacy service is delivered free every month. Stores deliver within 7 km for R35, and the delivery hours are listed.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  You can ask about price and stock by phone, and the pharmacist sends you a payment link. Medirite does not publish stock online.
- Customer support 8 of 10
  A free-call line (0800 222 617), plus phone numbers and opening hours for every store.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 137 active Medirite pharmacies in all nine provinces. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 5 of 5
  137 pharmacies in all nine provinces. Medirite accepts all major medical aids and lets you pay online with a payment link.
chainScore 69 out of 100
6
Sunset Pharmacy (Cape Town)
Cape Town pharmacy. Upload your prescription as a PDF or photo; free delivery in the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard.
Best supportOpen 08:00 to 21:00Cape Town only
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 4.2 (155)HelloPeter 1.0 (1)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 20 of 25
  An online form lets you upload your prescription as a PDF, JPEG or PNG, and the steps are explained. Prescriptions with Schedule 6 medicines must be brought in. Sunset does not say what happens to the original.
- Delivery and collection 12 of 20
  Free delivery only in the City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard, and you can collect at the pharmacy.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  You can contact the pharmacy by phone or WhatsApp. Stock is not published online.
- Customer support 10 of 10
  Phone 021 434 3333, WhatsApp 076 747 0613 and email, and the pharmacy is open from 08:00 to 21:00 every day.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists one active Sunset Pharmacy in the Western Cape, with the top inspection grade. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 1 of 5
  A single pharmacy in Cape Town. You can pay on account, or in cash on delivery or collection.
independentScore 68 out of 100
7
Pharmacy at SPAR
More than 140 independently owned pharmacies. Collect from your nearest store or arrange delivery.
Scriptwise courier
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 4.3 (762, 10 branches)HelloPeter 1.6 (339)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 15 of 25
  Bring your prescription to a store or phone the pharmacy. SPAR Health Scriptwise, the courier service for chronic and high-value medicine, has an online form to register as a patient.
- Delivery and collection 16 of 20
  The store finder shows which stores deliver and which collect prescriptions. Scriptwise delivers across South Africa with temperature-safe transport. No delivery time or fee is given.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  There is a store finder and a customer care line (0860 313 141). Medicine prices and stock are not published online.
- Customer support 8 of 10
  A national customer care line and Scriptwise phone numbers. The store finder shows each store’s hours and services, including help with medical aid.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 136 active Pharmacy at SPAR pharmacies in all nine provinces, 106 with the top inspection grade; a few have lower grades. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 4 of 5
  136 pharmacies in all nine provinces. Scriptwise works with your doctor and medical scheme, and stores offer help with medical aid. Payment methods are not listed.
independent groupScore 68 out of 100
8
Netcare Pharmacies
Pharmacies at Netcare hospitals. Many stay open late or around the clock.
Open lateNo delivery
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 3.5 (1,731, 9 branches)HelloPeter 1.8 (298)
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 15 of 25
  Netcare says its pharmacies use electronic medical records and e-prescriptions, and fill chronic and acute prescriptions in person. We found no way for the public to upload a prescription online.
- Delivery and collection 4 of 20
  We found no delivery service. You collect your medicine at the pharmacy.
- Price and stock information 9 of 15
  Each pharmacy lists its phone number, and many are open late or around the clock.
- Customer support 6 of 10
  Each pharmacy has its own phone number and trading hours. We found no group-wide chat or WhatsApp.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 48 active Netcare pharmacies in 7 provinces, 47 with the top inspection grade. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 4 of 5
  48 pharmacies in 7 provinces, and a preferred provider for medical schemes.
hospital retail chainScore 52 out of 100
9
Mediclinic Pharmacies
Pharmacies at Mediclinic hospitals. Chronic prescriptions can be handed in after a consultation; opening hours differ by hospital.
No delivery
Prescription 25 pts
Delivery 20 pts
Price & stock info 15 pts
Support 10 pts
Credentials 15 pts
Reach & payment 5 pts
Google 3.7 (1,765, 6 branches)HelloPeter no profile
Why this score
- Getting the prescription filled 10 of 25
  The hospital pharmacies fill prescriptions in person. Mediclinic Heart Hospital says chronic prescriptions can be handed in after a consultation. We found no way to upload a prescription online.
- Delivery and collection 4 of 20
  We found no delivery service. You collect your medicine at the hospital pharmacy.
- Price and stock information 6 of 15
  Pharmacy hours and medical aid contracts are published, for example 08:00 to 18:00 at Heart Hospital. There is no published way to ask about price or stock.
- Customer support 4 of 10
  Only hospital contact details and pharmacy hours. We found no chat or WhatsApp for the pharmacies.
- Credentials 9 of 15
  The Pharmacy Council register lists 22 active Mediclinic pharmacies in 5 provinces, 21 with the top inspection grade. The website does not show its registration number.
- Reach and payment options 3 of 5
  22 pharmacies in 5 provinces, contracted to all major medical aids.
hospital retail chainScore 40 out of 100

Which pharmacy has stock changes by branch and by week. Call or message your pharmacy before you go.

The most you should pay

These are the highest legal prices for Ozempic. A pharmacy may charge less, never more.

Ozempic 1.5 ml pen, highest priceup to R1,846.19Regulated price R1,479.18 plus up to R367.01 dispensing fee

Ozempic 3 ml pen, highest priceup to R3,428.13Regulated price R2,958.38 plus up to R469.75 dispensing fee

Highest price = the regulated price for the pen plus the largest dispensing fee a pharmacy may add, with VAT on the fee. We calculated it from the national medicine price database (October 2026 edition) and the dispensing fee in Government Notice 7599 of 19 June 2026. Medicine prices rose by 2.88% on 1 October 2026; this rise is temporary and applies until the end of December 2026.

Ozempic, lower-cost options and other GLP-1 medicines

Two other semaglutide pens are now sold in South Africa for type 2 diabetes: Extensior, made by Novo Nordisk itself, and Semagard, a generic. Both have a lower legal price than Ozempic. Several other GLP-1 medicines are also registered here. They are different medicines, not substitutes for Ozempic, and each has its own approved use. All are prescription medicines (Schedule 4), and only your doctor can say which one, if any, is right for you.

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medicines registered in South Africa
Medicine	Active ingredient	Registered use in South Africa	Pen or pack	Regulated price
Ozempicoriginator	Semaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	1.5 ml pen	R1,479.18
Ozempicoriginator	Semaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	3 ml pen	R2,958.38
Extensiorauthorised copy (Novo Nordisk)	Semaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	1.5 ml pen	R1,257.31
Extensiorauthorised copy (Novo Nordisk)	Semaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	3 ml pen	R2,514.62
Semagardgeneric (Ranbaxy/Sun Pharma)	Semaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	1.5 ml pen	R1,194.44
Semagardgeneric (Ranbaxy/Sun Pharma)	Semaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	3 ml pen	R2,388.89
Wegovy	Semaglutide	Chronic weight management	5 pack types	R1,181.84 to R3,853.52
Mounjaro	Tirzepatide	Type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management	10 pack types	R915.44 to R8,402.83
Saxenda	Liraglutide	Weight management	2 pack types	R2,996.05 to R4,993.43
Trulicity	Dulaglutide	Type 2 diabetes	1 pack	R1,259.08

Prices are the regulated prices (VAT included) in the national medicine price database of 1 October 2026. A pharmacy may add a dispensing fee; the highest legal price for Ozempic, fee included, is shown above. Mounjaro is sold in several pack types, so its range is wide. Zepbound is the US name for tirzepatide; in South Africa it is sold as Mounjaro. Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) and Foundayo (orforglipron, oral) have no regulated price in the database, so we do not list them. Registered uses: IOL, 23 July 2026 and Clicks Health.

Ozempic price SA in 2026

R1,846.19highest price, 1.5 ml pen

R3,428.13highest price, 3 ml pen

+2.88%price rise on 1 October 2026

R2,500–R10,000reported monthly cost of GLP-1 medicines

From 1 October 2026, the regulated price of Ozempic is R1,479.18 for the 1.5 ml pen and R2,958.38 for the 3 ml pen, VAT included. With the largest dispensing fee a pharmacy may add, the most you can be charged is R1,846.19 and R3,428.13. Medicine prices rose by 2.88% on 1 October 2026; this rise is temporary and applies until the end of December 2026.

What a month of treatment costs depends on which pen your doctor prescribes and how long it lasts you. Moneyweb reported in 2026 that GLP-1 medicines typically cost between R2,500 and R6,000 a month, and Bhekisisa’s Health Beat put the range at about R3,000 to R10,000 a month, depending on the medicine and the amount a patient needs.

Medical aid

Medical aid helps only in some cases. Obesity is not a prescribed minimum benefit, so schemes do not have to pay for GLP-1 medicines used for weight loss. For type 2 diabetes, some schemes pay from the chronic illness benefit when their clinical criteria are met, often after pre-authorisation with recent blood test results; otherwise the medicine comes out of day-to-day benefits, savings or your own pocket. Ask your scheme before you fill the prescription.

How the price of Ozempic is set

Three parts make up the price you pay at the till:

1.5 ml pen

R1,846.19R1,479.18 SEP + R367.01 fee

3 ml pen

R3,428.13R2,958.38 SEP + R469.75 fee

single exit price (SEP), VAT includedlargest dispensing fee, VAT included

ManufacturerThe single exit price (SEP). The manufacturer sells a medicine at one price to every buyer, and that price is published in the national medicine price database. It already includes VAT. It can change only when the health department allows an adjustment; the latest, 2.88%, took effect on 1 October 2026.
PharmacyThe dispensing fee. This is what the pharmacy may add for its work. The maximum is set by law, most recently in Government Notice 7599 of 19 June 2026: a fixed amount plus a percentage of the medicine’s price, with VAT. For Ozempic it is at most R367.01 on the 1.5 ml pen and R469.75 on the 3 ml pen, so the fee is 14% to 20% of the highest price.
TaxVAT at 15%, which is included in both parts above.

Tip

Pharmacies may not charge more than the SEP plus the maximum fee. Most of any difference between pharmacies comes from the fee they choose to charge, which is why one pharmacy can be cheaper than another for the same pen. Always ask for the final price before you pay.

How pharmacies dispense Ozempic

RulePrescription first. Ozempic is a Schedule 4 medicine. A pharmacist may only dispense it against a valid prescription from a doctor, and the original prescription has to reach the pharmacy. Some chains also set their own time limit; Clicks, for example, accepts a prescription for 30 days from the day it was written.
OptionsCounter, upload or courier. You can hand in your prescription at a pharmacy counter, upload a photo of it to a chain such as Clicks or Dis-Chem and collect or have it delivered, or use a courier pharmacy such as Medipost or Pharmacy Direct for ongoing medicine. Each pharmacy page on this site explains how ordering works there.
TipKept cold. Unopened Ozempic pens must be stored in a fridge at 2–8°C, so pharmacies and couriers have to keep them cold on the way to you. If you order delivery, ask how the pen will be packed.
TipStock varies. During the global shortage, people in South Africa waited weeks to fill their prescriptions. Supply is better now, but stock still differs by branch, so call before you go.
WarningNo prescription, no sale. Websites and social media sellers that offer semaglutide without a prescription are not legal channels. SAHPRA warns against buying unregistered weight-loss injections.

How Ozempic use is changing in South Africa

61,200Discovery members claiming GLP-1 medicines, almost three times more in three years

5.4 monthsaverage time members claimed for them

R1.5 billionAspen’s South African sales of Mounjaro

May 2026SAHPRA raid on illegal copies in Pretoria

GrowthMany more people are using GLP-1 medicines. The number of Discovery Health members claiming for them almost tripled to 61,200 in the three years to 2025, according to Discovery data reported by Bloomberg in October 2026. Members claimed for an average of only 5.4 months, although Discovery says this does not show how long people really stay on treatment.
DemandWeight loss drives the demand. Medical schemes have reported a rise in off-label prescribing of GLP-1 medicines for weight loss, beyond type 2 diabetes. Mounjaro has become a big seller: its local distributor, Aspen, generated about R1.5 billion in South African sales of the medicine.
PaymentNew ways to pay. Because cost is the main barrier, companies are testing new models: interest-free instalment plans backed by a doctor-led programme, and wellness rewards that help offset part of the price. Read the terms carefully; missed instalments can carry penalties.
WarningA crackdown on copies. In May 2026, SAHPRA and the South African Pharmacy Council raided a Pretoria pharmacy that was making semaglutide and tirzepatide injections for wide commercial sale under the label of “compounding”. The regulator found no testing for purity or strength, poor sterile conditions, and reports of side effects including hospital admissions. All products were seized and recalled.

Lower-cost and new alternatives to watch

Ozempic

R1,479.18

Extensior

R1,257.31 −15%

Semagard

R1,194.44 −19%

Regulated price of the 1.5 ml pen, VAT included.

On saleAlready on sale: Extensior, an authorised copy made by Novo Nordisk, and Semagard, the first generic semaglutide, launched by Sun Pharma’s local company Ranbaxy in August 2026. Their regulated prices are about 15% and 19% lower than Ozempic’s. Both are registered for type 2 diabetes.
ComingMore generics are coming. SAHPRA is considering 13 more applications for generic semaglutide, Bhekisisa reported in August 2026. Aspen has applied to make its own, and its chief executive expects generic GLP-1 medicines to cost at least 50% less than today’s brands worldwide. When this happens in South Africa, and at what price, is not yet known.
RegisteredOther registered medicines such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda and Trulicity are listed in the table above. They are different medicines with their own approved uses, not substitutes for Ozempic.
In trialsTablets and new medicines. We found no regulated price in South Africa for oral options such as Rybelsus and Foundayo. Retatrutide, which acts on three hormones, is still in trials and is not approved anywhere; see our guide “Retatrutide vs Ozempic” in the articles below.

What users report

6.7out of 10
1,700 reviews on Drugs.com

52%26%22%

positivein betweennegative

Share of reviews, checked October 2026. Drugs.com counts the remaining 26% as neither positive nor negative.

On Drugs.com, a US site where patients rate medicines, Ozempic has an average score of 6.7 out of 10 from 1,700 reviews: 52% of reviewers report a positive experience and 22% a negative one (checked October 2026). These reviews are written by patients, mostly outside South Africa, and are not checked by doctors.

The goodThe good: the reviews we read most often mention less hunger and fewer cravings, weight loss and better blood sugar readings.
The hard partThe hard part: the most common complaints are stomach problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, usually in the first weeks. For some people they are bad enough to stop treatment.
LeafletWhat the medicine leaflet says: stomach side effects are the most common. Less common but serious problems include inflammation of the pancreas, gallstones, allergic reactions, eye problems in people with diabetic eye disease, and low blood sugar when Ozempic is used with some other diabetes medicines. Tell your doctor about any side effect.
South AfricaIn South Africa, the loudest complaints are about price and stock: people waited weeks during the shortage, and some turned to illegal copies they could not check.

We do not publish individual testimonials or give medical advice. Whether Ozempic is right for you is a decision for you and your doctor; see our medical disclaimer.

Latest articles

News and guides on Ozempic, semaglutide and other GLP-1 medicines in South Africa, with sources and dates.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get Ozempic in South Africa?

Get a prescription. Ozempic is a Schedule 4 medicine. Only a doctor can prescribe it.
Choose a pharmacy. Compare how each one takes prescriptions, delivers and supports you.
Ask for the final price. It cannot be higher than the highest legal price shown on this page.

How much does Ozempic cost in South Africa?

From 1 October 2026, the highest legal price is R1,846.19 for the 1.5 ml pen and R3,428.13 for the 3 ml pen. That is the regulated price plus the largest dispensing fee a pharmacy may add, VAT included. A pharmacy may charge less, never more.

Do I need a prescription for Ozempic?

Yes. Ozempic is a Schedule 4 medicine, so a pharmacist may only dispense it against a valid prescription from a doctor. Websites and social media sellers that offer semaglutide without a prescription are not legal channels, and SAHPRA warns against buying unregistered weight-loss injections.

Is Ozempic registered for weight loss in South Africa?

No. Ozempic is registered in South Africa for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide, and Mounjaro are registered for weight management. Whether any of them is right for you is a decision for you and your doctor.

Does medical aid pay for Ozempic?

Only in some cases. For type 2 diabetes, some schemes pay from the chronic illness benefit when their clinical criteria are met; otherwise the medicine comes out of day-to-day benefits, savings or your own pocket. Obesity is not a prescribed minimum benefit, so schemes do not have to pay for GLP-1 medicines used for weight loss. Ask your scheme before you fill the prescription.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Ozempic?

Two other semaglutide pens are sold in South Africa for type 2 diabetes: Extensior, an authorised copy made by Novo Nordisk, and Semagard, a generic. The regulated price of the 1.5 ml pen is R1,257.31 for Extensior and R1,194.44 for Semagard, against R1,479.18 for Ozempic. Ask your doctor whether one of them suits you.

Can I get Ozempic delivered?

Yes, from many pharmacies. National chains such as Clicks and Dis-Chem let you upload your prescription and collect or have it delivered, and courier pharmacies such as Medipost and Pharmacy Direct send ongoing medicine to your door. Unopened pens must be kept in a fridge at 2–8°C, so ask how the pen will be packed.

How do you rank the pharmacies?

We score each pharmacy on six public checks worth 90 points in all: getting the prescription filled, delivery and collection, price and stock information, customer support, credentials, and reach and payment options. The score is shown out of 100. Customer reviews are shown for information but are not part of the score. Price is not scored either: the highest legal price is the same at every pharmacy, so it would not tell them apart.