More Kenyans may now have access to semaglutide medicines after the country’s drug regulator approved five generic versions, bringing the total number of registered products to seven amid a continued increase in obesity and diabetes cases.
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) said the medicines went through the required checks before being cleared for use, including assessments of their quality, safety and effectiveness.
The latest approvals include five generic semaglutide products, one of which is Truglyx. The medicine was launched in Nairobi last month during the Reset Diabesity conference.
The new products join Ozempic and Wegovy, the two original semaglutide medicines previously available in Kenya. Both are manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Semaglutide has also gained wider recognition internationally, with the World Health Organisation adding the medicine to its Model List of Essential Medicines in September 2025 for diabetes care.
The PPB, however, cautioned that having the same active ingredient does not mean all the medicines can be used for identical purposes.
"While these products contain the same active ingredient, their approved uses are not necessarily interchangeable," said PPB chief executive officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed.
Ozempic has been approved for adults with type 2 diabetes whose condition is not sufficiently controlled, together with diet and physical activity.
The five generic medicines have also been cleared for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy has a different approved use. It is meant for weight management among adults with a high body mass index (BMI), alongside diet and exercise. Its use covers both initial weight reduction and long-term maintenance.
The entry of generic versions is expected to provide lower-cost alternatives to the original products. The generics cost between Sh13,000 and Sh18,500 a month, while the original medicines cost between Sh50,000 and Sh75,000 per injection, according to the story.
The PPB said it does not determine the prices charged by retailers.
Despite the wider range of products, the regulator has raised concern over the growing use of semaglutide without medical supervision, particularly Ozempic, by people seeking to lose weight.
The board has advised the public against obtaining the medicines from unauthorised sellers or using them for weight loss without proper medical guidance.
"Semaglutide-containing medicines are prescription-on-ly medicines and should only be used following appropriate as-sessment and prescription by a qualified healthcare profession-al," said Ahmed.
The warning comes as Kenya faces a growing burden of what health experts describe as "diabesity", referring to the combination of obesity and diabetes.
Consultant endocrinologist Dr Kirtida Acharya said the two conditions are becoming more common in the country and are linked to other metabolic problems. She said the conditions are not limited to urban populations but are also present in informal settlements and rural areas.
Acharya advised people interested in semaglutide treatment to first see a medical practitioner for assessment. Doctors, she said, should determine whether a person qualifies for the medicine, prescribe the appropriate treatment, begin with gradual doses and monitor the patient for side effects.
People with poorly controlled diabetes may benefit from semaglutide, particularly those with cardiovascular or kidney problems, she said. Some people living with obesity who have not succeeded with other weight-loss methods may also benefit.
Acharya advised pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as people with medullary thyroid carcinoma or pancreatitis, to seek medical advice before using the medicine.
She also cautioned against taking semaglutide simply because it is trending on social media.
Unsupervised weight loss, she said, can result in sarcopenia, which involves losing muscle mass and strength. She recommended resistance exercise, enough protein and proper hydration for people using semaglutide.
The concern comes against the backdrop of a sharp increase in obesity among Kenyan adults.
The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report shows that the number of Kenyan adults living with obesity increased from about 1.6 million in 2012 to 3.6 million in 2024.
Kenya's obesity rate is now 11.3 per cent, higher than the Eastern Africa average of 8.1 per cent. However, it remains below the African average of 16.6 per cent and the global rate of 16.4 per cent.
The PPB is therefore urging patients to use semaglutide only for approved purposes and under the care of qualified healthcare professionals as access to the medicines expands.