Health regulators have issued a stern warning against the use of recalled diabetes medications Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, which are being misused for weight loss purposes.

The South African Pharmacy Council, Health Professions Council of South Africa and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) have jointly cautioned the public, pharmacies and medical practitioners against any continued use, prescription or dispensing of iDEXIS Semaglutide, iDEXIS Tirzepatide, and iDEXIS Semaglutide/Tirzepatide.

The products were recalled by SAHPRA in June.

“The continued use, prescription and dispensing of these products pose a severe risk to patients’ safety and/or users,” the authorities said in a statement on Friday.

The two medications are designed to treat diabetes but have been increasingly used for weight loss.

Healthcare professionals found to have dispensed, prescribed or kept stock of the recalled products will face disciplinary action in accordance with applicable legislation, including the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 101 of 1965.

The regulatory bodies warned that any professional prescribing or dispensing the medications will “knowingly be endangering the health of the public”.

The warning comes amid growing concern over the misuse of diabetes medications for cosmetic weight loss purposes, rather than their intended medical application.

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