The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has raised the alarm over the growing off-label use of Semaglutide, a compound marketed under brand names such as Ozempic, warning Kenyans of serious health risks linked to unsupervised use.
In a statement released on Tuesday, August 19, the Board — established under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act as Kenya’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority — cautioned that Semaglutide is strictly a Prescription-Only Medicine meant for managing Type 2 diabetes in adults whose condition remains inadequately controlled by other treatments.
“The Board wishes to bring to the attention of the public that Semaglutide is a Prescription-Only Medicine and its unsupervised or off-label use may result in serious health outcomes,” the PPB stated.
Risks of Misuse
The regulator outlined a number of health complications associated with the misuse of the drug for cosmetic weight loss. Reported side effects include:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Eye complications
Acid reflux and nausea
Intestinal obstruction
The PPB noted that these adverse effects can vary in severity depending on an individual’s medical history and dosage use.
Ministry of Health Investigation
The warning comes as the Ministry of Health investigates the rising misuse of diabetes medications for weight management. The probe was prompted by complaints from healthcare professionals over the growing trend of Kenyans sourcing diabetes drugs without medical supervision.
Principal Secretary for Health, Mary Muthoni, confirmed in June that the government was aware of the misuse. She stressed that medications must only be prescribed by qualified professionals.
“People should not purchase medications from pharmacies or supermarkets without proper medical consultation,” the Ministry warned.
Celebrity & Social Media Influence
The PPB further highlighted the role of celebrity endorsements and social media hype in fueling the abuse of Semaglutide. Several public figures have publicly credited the drug with rapid weight loss, often downplaying the medical risks involved.
The regulator cautioned that such endorsements create dangerous misconceptions, pushing many Kenyans to misuse prescription medicines outside their intended purposes.
Key Takeaway: The PPB has urged Kenyans to avoid using Semaglutide for weight loss without proper medical supervision, warning that the risks far outweigh any cosmetic benefits.
