Manufacturers and regulators from various countries, including South Africa, have expressed concern over the increasing availability of medications claiming to contain semaglutide, tirzepatide and other GLP-1 agonists. 

The main concerns are that the sources of the raw ingredients are unknown, bringing into question their safety and reliability (irrespective of any legal issues), as well as the fact that injectable medications need to be compounded under sterile conditions. The demand for alternative supplies has been fueled by massive shortages of the manufactured products.

Read the SAHPRA's statement here.