Ministry warns against ‘unsafe’ weight-loss drugs
Namibian health officials are warning against the unregulated use of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The ministry is calling for stricter oversight and ethical prescribing to prevent health risks from counterfeit or misused medications.
Why it matters
Addresses the global public health challenge of managing the rising demand for metabolic drugs and the dangers of social media-driven self-medication.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has called for responsible prescribing and monitoring of weight-loss and metabolic treatments amid growing public demand for medicines such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Executive director Penda Ithindi, speaking on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao at the opening of the 2026 Namibia Health Exhibition in Windhoek on Friday, said the growing demand for these treatments required careful oversight.
“These breakthroughs hold immense promise, but they demand rigorous responsibility,” Ithindi said.
He said the ministry was witnessing an unprecedented surge in public demand for weight-management and metabolic treatments such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, widely known by the brand names Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Ithindi said healthcare providers needed to ensure ethical prescribing, careful patient monitoring and strict follow-up care when using these treatments.
“Furthermore, we must shield the public from counterfeit, substandard and illegally marketed products,” he said.
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