The Government of Kenya is stepping up regulatory action to curb the rising misuse of Ozempic, a diabetes drug increasingly being repurposed for weight loss, amid growing public health concerns and reports of counterfeit circulation.
Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has gained popularity globally for its weight loss side effects. In Kenya, however, health authorities are raising the alarm over unsupervised use and the sale of the drug through unauthorized outlets.
Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni confirmed that regulatory bodies are already responding to the situation. The PS urged Kenyans to only obtain medication from qualified healthcare professionals and warned against purchasing drugs from supermarkets or unlicensed pharmacies. She emphasized that the government is focused on eliminating drug misuse and upholding responsible prescription standards.
“We are on the move in regards to drug use and abuse,” she added, reaffirming the state’s commitment to patient safety.
The crackdown follows recent alerts from health agencies about the proliferation of counterfeit Ozempic pens, some of which were found to be repurposed diabetes injectors falsely branded as Ozempic and sold through informal networks.
According to the Ministry, some UHC staff have exited due to attrition, county absorption, or alternative employment, complicating payroll tracking efforts.
The Ministry of Health is expected to release new prescribing guidelines for weight-related use of medications like Ozempic and is working with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to ensure only safe, certified supplies remain in the Kenyan market.
