The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Health Professions Authority (HPA) have warned the public against the unauthorised sale, purchase, and use of Ozempic, a prescription drug that’s gained popularity under the nickname “the skinny jab.”
Originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is now being widely misused for weight loss, a trend that experts say carries serious health risks.
In a joint statement, MCAZ Director-General Richard Rukwata expressed concern over the growing misuse of the drug, saying recent investigations point to a worrying rise in people turning to Ozempic for weight management without professional guidance. He added:
Such practices can be hazardous and may result in severe health issues.
Rukwata said that Ozempic, as a prescription medication, must only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional and with a valid prescription.
He urged the public to avoid sourcing Ozempic from unauthorised channels such as online platforms, social media, unlicensed vendors, or unregistered individuals.
These informal markets, Rukwata explained, often bypass essential quality control measures, increasing the risk of substandard or counterfeit products reaching unsuspecting users.
He further warned that individuals engaging in the illegal sale or distribution of Ozempic are committing a criminal offence, one that could lead to prosecution and imprisonment. Said Rukwata:
Selling medicines without proper licensing from unapproved locations violates Sections 50 and 52 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations, 1991, as well as Section 106 of the same regulations.
The sale of unregistered medications also contravenes Section 29(1)(a) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.
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