Novo Nordisk has introduced Ozempic and Wegovy to Kenya, aiming to tackle escalating rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Experts highlight challenges like underdiagnosis and affordability that could influence the real impact of these new treatments in the African nation.
Novo Nordisk has launched Ozempic and Wegovy in Kenya, adding two semaglutide-based prescription medicines to a market grappling with rising rates of type 2 diabetes, obesity and related heart and metabolic disease. The Nairobi launch brought together doctors, policymakers and other health stakeholders as concern grows over the number of people living with diabetes without knowing it.
Ozempic is intended to help adults with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar alongside diet and physical activity, while Wegovy is aimed at weight management in eligible patients living with obesity or excess weight and associated health risks. The company said healthcare professionals would be trained on eligibility, prescribing and patient support, underscoring that the drugs are not interchangeable and should only be used after proper medical assessment.
Health experts at the event warned that Kenya’s challenge is not confined to treatment alone. Roseline Ngugi, a consultant physician and endocrinologist, said diabetes remains widely underdiagnosed, with local estimates suggesting that as many as 60% of people with the condition may not know they have it. Kenyan health officials and medical groups have also cited prevalence estimates of 3.3% to 4.5% for diabetes, while obesity may affect up to 30% of the population.
Ngugi said the wider picture across Africa is equally worrying, pointing to a sharp rise in diabetes over the past decade. She argued that obesity should be treated as a metabolic disorder rather than a simple lifestyle issue, especially as it increasingly affects children and feeds into a growing burden of cardiovascular, kidney and other chronic disease.
Access will determine how far the new medicines go in practice. Ngugi said affordability has often blocked treatment for patients with chronic illness, while Novo Nordisk’s Malika De Maillard stressed the scale of unmet medical need across the continent. Danish ambassador Stephan Schønemann said the launch could give patients more options and pointed to the potential for closer Kenya-Denmark cooperation in healthcare, innovation and knowledge exchange.
Experts at the launch said medicines alone will not reverse Kenya’s non-communicable disease burden. They called for broader screening, earlier diagnosis, integrated care and stronger follow-up, alongside responsible prescribing and better insurance coverage if the new treatments are to improve outcomes beyond a narrow group of patients who can pay out of pocket.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
