Johannesburg – South Africa is confronting a dangerous convergence of two public health threats — the obesity epidemic and a surge in counterfeit medication — with pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk warning of organised crime networks selling potentially lethal products under its name.
Speaking at the Novo Nordisk Wegovy media launch this week at the Radisson Red Hotel in Rosebank, Jonas Lind Hansen, the company’s Director and Head of Legal, Ethics, Compliance, and Quality in South Africa, described the counterfeit drug trade as “a crisis hiding in plain sight” and urged urgent action to protect patients.
Medical breakthrough overshadowed by criminal trade
The Danish multinational used the event to announce the South African launch of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), a once-weekly injectable prescription medicine approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for adults with obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related condition.
Designed to mimic the GLP-1 hormone, Wegovy suppresses appetite and calorie intake, enabling patients to lose an average of 15% of their body weight when used alongside diet and exercise.
“This is a milestone in evidence-based obesity care,” Hansen emphasised.
“But that milestone is being undermined by fake products that not only fail to help patients but can actively harm them.”
He was unequivocal: “No patient should ever be exposed to a product that is not approved by the regulator — not one, not a thousand.”
Types of counterfeit medication involving Novo Nordisk products
Novo Nordisk is facing a surge in counterfeit medicines, ranging from direct copies of its approved products, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, to dangerous imitations of drugs still in development.
These fakes often mimic genuine packaging with forged branding and regulatory markings, yet may contain incorrect doses, the wrong active ingredient, or no active ingredient at all.
As Jonas Lind Hansen noted, “One thing is buying a fake pair of sunglasses. Another is buying fake medication and injecting it into your body.
“That’s dangerous, and in some cases, deadly.”
The company has also identified a growing trade in compounded imitations, where illicit operators recreate active ingredients like semaglutide outside proper quality controls.
While legitimate compounding is a regulated process used to meet specific patient needs, these unregulated versions bypass safety standards and can pose serious health risks.
According to Hansen, counterfeit rings serve thousands of unsuspecting patients monthly.
In one ongoing South African court case, the company estimates a local compounding outfit is supplying unapproved medication to more than 5 000 patients monthly — the packaging itself warning that the product is “not approved by SAHPRA”.
A further danger lies in mislabelled or adulterated products that carry Novo Nordisk branding but contain entirely different — and sometimes harmful — substances. International evidence underscores the risk.
Citing US Food and Drug Administration data on compounded GLP-1 products, Hansen revealed: “There have been at least 700 cases of serious adverse events requiring hospital treatment — and 13 deaths.”
These figures illustrate the scale of the problem and the potentially lethal consequences of counterfeit and illicitly compounded medicines.
Organised crime and social media misinformation
The illicit market, Hansen warned, often overlaps with organised crime.
“Most likely, we are dealing with cartels. The methods are the same — mafia-style operations exploiting people’s desperation for weight-loss solutions,” he said.
Social media is a key enabler.
“Prescription medicine you don’t get from a Facebook marketplace group or a WhatsApp chat,” Hansen stressed.
“You get it by seeing a doctor, being properly assessed, and collecting it from a registered pharmacy.”
He cautioned against the false sense of community offered by online groups, pointing out that the same platforms are rife with misinformation.
“Social media connects us, but it also carries a very real risk of disinformation — and that is what we are fighting, as fiercely as we can.”
Patient safety above profit
For Hansen, the priority is not revenue recovery but lives.
“The number one purpose has to be the health and safety of the population,” said Hansen.
“These counterfeit drugs are not necessarily cheap, so people are spending money on something that might have no effect — or worse, cause harm.
“The worst counterfeit is not just fake — it robs people of hope, health, and sometimes their lives.”
Novo Nordisk has launched a dedicated patient resource, The Truth About Weight, offering fact-checked information on obesity, diet, mental health, and treatment options.
The site also features a “healthcare professional locator” to connect patients with doctors who have pledged to treat obesity as a chronic disease and avoid involvement in counterfeit or illicit compounding.
A chronic disease requiring respect and regulation
Hansen reiterated the company’s stance that obesity is a chronic, complex disease requiring medical oversight.
“If you cut yourself badly, you wouldn’t turn to Facebook for advice — you’d go to a doctor,” he said.
“Obesity deserves the same level of seriousness.”
As South Africa battles an obesity prevalence of 68% among women and 31% among men, Hansen urged patients to reject quick fixes and insist on regulated treatment.
“We will not accept criminals using our good name to sell dangerous products. This is a war on two fronts — against a disease and against those who exploit it.”
Sara Norcross, General Manager, Novo Nordisk South Africa, emphasised, “Obesity is not a choice — no one wakes up and decides to be obese. It is a chronic disease, and we must stop reducing it to myths and moral failings.”
How to spot a counterfeit Novo Nordisk product
1. Packaging warnings – Check for SAHPRA approval details; never use products marked “Not approved by SAHPRA”.
2. Source of purchase – Only obtain prescription medicines from registered pharmacies against a doctor’s script.
3. Too-easy online ordering – It is not legitimate if you can buy without a prescription.
4. Unrealistic claims – Be sceptical of “instant” or “guaranteed” weight loss.
5. Product appearance – Poor label quality, spelling errors, or missing safety seals are red flags.
6. Official verification – Use The Truth About Weight website to find certified doctors who refuse to engage in counterfeit or illicit compounding.
7. Report it – Contact SAHPRA or Novo Nordisk to verify products and report suspicious sales.
