South African pharmaceutical giant Aspen Pharmacare has received regulatory approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to market Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for chronic weight management. The decision marks a major expansion for Aspen in the country’s fast-growing obesity treatment market, as reported by Reuters.
Mounjaro, initially approved in South Africa in December 2024 for Type 2 diabetes, has shown strong results in promoting weight loss in clinical trials. The newly approved weight management version will be distributed in Aspen’s KwikPen injector format, allowing the company to compete directly with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, which launched in South Africa earlier this year, Reuters noted.
The approval comes amid a global surge in demand for obesity and diabetes treatments, with analysts estimating the global obesity drug market could surpass US$100 billion by 2030. For Aspen, the move diversifies its portfolio beyond generics and vaccines, tapping into one of the world’s fastest-growing pharmaceutical sectors. Industry observers say the partnership with Lilly strengthens Aspen’s position as a key player in advanced therapeutics, News24 reported.
Analysts caution, however, that the success of Mounjaro in South Africa will depend on affordability and patient access. With the country’s obesity rate among the highest in Africa, health experts argue that scaling distribution and support programs will be essential to achieving meaningful health outcomes. Still, Aspen’s entry into the obesity drug segment marks a pivotal step in modernizing South Africa’s treatment landscape and boosting domestic pharmaceutical innovation, Reuters added.
