Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu
Society Reporter
WHEN the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) collaborated with the Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPAZ) last week to release a statement on the abuse of Ozempic, it was likely the first time most Zimbabweans had heard of the drug.
Mutoriro, guka or dombo are terms that typically come to mind when Zimbabweans are asked about harmful substances that urgently need to be eliminated from the country’s streets.
In contrast, mention of Ozempic would likely draw blank stares from most people, from Mbare to Makokoba.
Yet the joint statement by MCAZ and HPAZ sounded grave. It presented Ozempic as a serious threat to people, requiring urgent attention.
Originally intended to help patients suffering from type 2 diabetes, Ozempic, known on the streets as the skinny jab, is now being abused, the two health bodies said.
“This growing trend of abusing Ozempic without medical supervision is deeply concerning. This medication is intended strictly for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified and licensed healthcare professional. Any use outside this is not only illegal, but dangerous,” said MCAZ director-general Richard Rukwata.
The statement from such respected health bodies immediately sparked curiosity among those who would have otherwise overlooked the drug had they come across it in any medicine cabinet.
However, in some social circles, Ozempic has now been turned into a weight loss drug, with those using it putting their lives at great risk.
People desperate to lose weight are illegally getting the drug from backyard and rogue pharmacists.
For those who have long struggled to shed excess kilos, the drug seems like a saviour, a shortcut to their ideal body, yet its side effects can be devastating, especially when use is not monitored by medical professionals.
Ozempic has become the latest obsession among Zimbabwe’s more affluent circles, with those previously overweight appearing miraculously leaner just weeks after starting the ill-fated “treatment”.
What is Ozempic and how does it work?
“Ozempic is a semaglutide that works by mimicking the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) hormone. Once you inject it, it increases insulin secretion and lowers your blood sugar,” said dietitian Aziwe Booi.
“The weight-loss benefits come from reduced appetite and hunger cues, which means you feel less hungry than normal — leading to reduced food portions and a caloric deficit.”
According to Booi, the drug delays gastric emptying and reduces cravings for high-calorie foods and sugary beverages.
“Essentially, what makes people gain weight are high-energy, high-sugar refined starches. By reducing those cravings, the drug helps you lose weight,” she explained.
Cost
The drug, which the authorities strongly caution against using without medical supervision, also comes at a high cost.
This is why, so far, it is mostly being used by the wealthy.
One seller in Bulawayo, for example, was offering Ozempic for US$600 per pen.
But like any lucrative product, the drug now has counterfeits on the black market.
“It is just expensive. A dose that will last you for six weeks might cost at least US$500. And you also have to be aware of the many fake products out there being sold by dodgy pharmacists,” the source warned.
The financial cost is not the only drawback.
Side effects of this weight-loss drug include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, reduced food absorption, heartburn, indigestion, fatigue and dehydration.
Other reported symptoms include abdominal pain; hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar); dizziness; reduced muscle function; electrolyte imbalances; kidney problems; and even severe conditions like pancreatitis, and diabetic retinopathy — a serious eye condition that can damage the retina due to diabetes.
“Ozempic is a prescription medication, so it is important for patients to consult with their healthcare providers to ensure it is right for them and to help find the dose that works best. It also needs to be taken as prescribed,” said South Africa’s Dr Carmen Briner.
“Side effects should be discussed with a doctor, as there are strategies to help manage them.”
There is limited research on the long-term effects of Ozempic in non-diabetic individuals, raising concerns that some consequences may yet be unknown.
“Studies in animals suggest that semaglutide may increase the risk of thyroid cancer. While there is no definitive proof that it causes thyroid cancer in humans, the uncertainty warrants caution — especially for people with a personal or family history of the disease. For them, it is generally recommended to avoid the drug,” said Dr Briner.
In addition to potential internal effects, visible signs such as lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and sunken eyes, caused by drastic and sudden weight loss, are also among the more easily noticeable side effects.
Despite warnings from medical professionals, Ozempic and its sister drug, Mounjaro (tirzepatide), continue to be openly advertised on social media.
“We have 12-week dosages for tirzepatide. We are a registered prescriber. It is readily available in Harare. However, we do a consultation with you first and also offer group support. There will be weekly check-in sessions,” said a woman working for what appeared to be a United Kingdom-based organisation.
The message was on Facebook.
With all and sundry now selling Ozempic, last week’s intervention by MCAZ and HPAZ was the clearest sign that the authorities are now alert to the dangers posed by this still relatively unknown drug.
“Diagnosis, prescribing and treatment must be carried out strictly by professionals who are registered and licensed to do so,” said HPAZ secretary-general Clotilda Chimbwanda.
