Government warns Kenyans over drug being used for weight loss
Government warns Kenyans over drug being used for weight loss
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has raised alarm over the off-label use of Semaglutide-containing compounds for weight loss, warning Kenyans about serious health risks associated with unsupervised use of the prescription diabetes medication.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 19, the national medicines regulatory authority issued a comprehensive safety alert addressing growing concerns about the misuse of the drug commonly known to the public as Ozempic.
The PPB, established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act as Kenya’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority, emphasized its mandate to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of health products and technologies nationwide.
“The Board wishes to bring to the attention of the public that Semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes,” the statement reads.
The regulatory body specifically noted that Semaglutide is approved for treating adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus that remains insufficiently controlled through other means.
However, safety concerns have emerged particularly when the medication is used outside its approved medical purposes.
According to the PPB’s safety alert, typical side effects of Semaglutide misuse include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), eye conditions, acid reflux, nausea, and intestinal obstruction.
The board warned that these effects can range from mild to severe depending on individual circumstances and usage patterns.
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This warning follows the Health Ministry’s ongoing investigation into the widespread misuse of diabetes medications for weight management.
The inquiry was initiated after healthcare professionals raised concerns about the growing trend of Kenyans using prescription diabetes drugs for cosmetic weight loss.
Principal Secretary for Health Mary Muthoni acknowledged the ministry’s awareness in June this year of the increasing number of citizens using these substances contrary to medical guidelines.
“Qualified medical professionals must always prescribe medications. People should not purchase medications from pharmacies or supermarkets without proper medical consultation,” the Ministry of Health emphasized.
Celebrity endorsements and social media promotion have amplified the popularity of diabetes medications for weight loss.
Several Kenyan public figures have publicly credited these medications with significant weight loss results, often without adequately communicating the medical supervision required for safe usage.
This celebrity influence has contributed to public misconceptions about the appropriateness and safety of using prescription diabetes medications for non-medical weight management purposes.
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