Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited announced last year the local availability of Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide.
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to treat adults with insufficiently controlled Type 2 diabetes, which has been approved by the South African Health ProductsRegulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
On 30 August 2023, Aspen announced that it had entered into a distribution and promotion agreement with Lilly to extend access to Lilly’s innovative portfolio of medicines to patients in South Africa and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “Aspen values our relationship with Lilly and its recognition of Aspen as its chosen partner inSouthern Africa to assist in contributing towards arresting non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.”
“Tirzepatide is one of the therapeutic options available to physicians for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, which has doubled in recent times1, with one in two diabetic patients in South Africa being undiagnosed.2 A strong link is evident between diabetes, heart disease, and obesity which triggers the metabolic-cardio-renal complex3 and which poses a significant financial and public health threat to an already over-burdened healthcare system, impacting lives and livelihoods. Tirzepatide represents an added therapeutic option to address the rising tide of NCDs. It will increase access and can significantly improve related health outcomes.”
Tirzepatide has been available in SA during since December 2024 in single-dose vials, with a KwikPen® presentation currently under evaluation at SAHPRA.
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