The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has raised an alarm over rising misuse of semaglutide, a drug marketed under the brand name Ozempic, and warned Kenyans against using it for weight loss without medical supervision.
In a Tuesday statement, the regulator highlighted that semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine, only licensed for treating Type 2 diabetes mellitus that is still not well-controlled. The PPB warned that unapproved use of the drug could lead to severe health risks.
“Semaglutide is a prescription-only medicine and should not be used without medical supervision. It is approved for the treatment of adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus that is insufficiently controlled. While the benefits of semaglutide outweigh its risks, serious safety concerns continue to be raised, particularly when it is used outside its approved medical purposes,” the Board stated.
Growing Health Concerns
The PPB explained that semaglutide, commonly marketed as Ozempic and through generic names, may bring about side effects ranging from mild distress to adverse events. The most common risks include low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, eye disease, acid reflux disease, and even intestinal blockage.
The authorities stated that while the drug remains potent under doctor’s supervision, the rising off-label prescribing as a slimming pill has generated general concern, especially with counterfeit versions reportedly being sold in the Kenyan market.
Public Reporting Channels
The Board asked Kenyans to refrain from administering Ozempic for off-label purposes and recommended that they report suspected adverse effects or substandard medicines through official channels.
Members of the public can report cases via:
- The Pharmacovigilance Electronic Reporting System at pv.pharmacyboardkenya.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: +254 795 743 049
- USSD Code: *271#
“The Board appreciates your continued support and collaboration in promoting the safe use of medicines,” PPB added.
The growing misuse of Ozempic has also drawn attention from the Ministry of Health. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni confirmed that the government is closely monitoring the situation.
She assured Kenyans that swift regulatory actions are underway to safeguard consumers and reinforce strict prescription guidelines to prevent misuse.
