12 Nov SAHPRA warns the public about GLP-1 products sold through social media platforms
Pretoria, 11 November 2025 – The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) cautions members of the public against purchasing or using GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) products that are being promoted and sold on various social media platforms. These products are being promoted to assist with weight loss.
SAHPRA has become aware of companies and individuals illegally marketing GLP-1 products online and falsely claiming to be affiliated with or authorised by SAHPRA and some of South Africa’s major retail pharmacies. The Authority wishes to clarify that these claims are untrue.
SAHPRA, through its investigation, has discovered that the sellers of these products are not based in South Africa. The products are being shipped from China via post offices, not from a warehouse in Johannesburg or Cape Town, as stated in the advertisements. The shipped products are not identical to the advertised products. SAHPRA has not approved any oral GLP-1 solution for consumption.
A picture of these products, displaying SAHPRA’s logo and claiming to be approved by SAHPRA, can be seen below.
SAHPRA urges the public to exercise caution when they are buying medicines online, from unknown websites or social media pages, as these medicines may contain dangerous/harmful ingredients that might not be disclosed to the patients by the seller. Patients should only buy prescribed medicines from licensed and reputable pharmacies. A list of medicines registered in South Africa can be found on the SAHPRA website.
SAHPRA further warns that the unauthorised selling, distribution, or advertising of medicines not registered with SAHPRA is a contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965), as amended. The Authority shall take all the necessary regulatory and legal action against any individual or organisation found engaging in such practices.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious medicine sales or false claims of SAHPRA approval. You can report through these whistleblower platforms, SAHPRA’s 24-hour hotline (0800 204 307) or via our web reporting facility: https://bit.ly/3nrku5t
“Safeguarding the well-being of the South African public remains a primary concern for the regulatory authority. SAHPRA is monitoring the supply chain as well as the online platforms for unregistered, substandard, and falsified medicines containing or claiming to contain GLP-1 Substances,” indicated SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela.
