Obiflex introduces installment payments for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs in South Africa

Obiflex, a doctor-led health management programme, has introduced a ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) option to help South Africans manage the high costs of GLP-1 weight-loss medications. These drugs, originally developed for diabetes, typically cost between R2 500 and R6 000 per month.

Obiflex provides virtual consultations with doctors who can prescribe the medicines, allowing patients to spread costs through interest-free installments. The initiative aims to provide legitimate access to medication following recent regulatory crackdowns. Earlier this year, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) raided a compounding pharmacy in Pretoria for allegedly manufacturing GLP-1 drugs illegally.

Shaun Barns, co-founder and CEO of Obiflex, noted that high costs have previously driven patients toward unregulated or illicit alternatives. The programme is backed by the investment firm Grovest.