Novo Nordisk has announced the launch of a more affordable authorized copy of its Ozempic diabetes drug in South Africa. The medicine, which uses the same semaglutide active ingredient as Ozempic, will be available under the name Extensior. This launch is the result of a partnership between Novo Nordisk and healthcare company Acino, aiming to expand patient access to affordable medicines in high-growth markets.
Expanding Access to Affordable Medicines
The Extensior drug is registered by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) as the country’s only authorized semaglutide copy. It will be available in the same 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg doses as Ozempic. According to Sara Norcross, general manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa, the prices for Extensior will be confirmed next week, but it is expected to be cheaper than the branded semaglutide for use in type 2 diabetes.
Demand for GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic, has surged in South Africa, driven in part by their use for weight loss. However, the high cost of these drugs has led some patients to seek out compounded copies, creating a grey market that regulators are trying to curb due to safety concerns. Novo Nordisk believes that the launch of Extensior will make the medicine more accessible to patients and healthcare professionals, while maintaining high quality standards.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
