South Africa's iDexis appeals court order on compounded weight‑loss drugs

Pretoria‑based pharmacy group iDexis has applied to appeal a High Court interim interdict that barred it from manufacturing and selling compounded GLP‑1 medicines containing semaglutide. The order followed a case brought by Novo Nordisk and comes amid heightened scrutiny of compounded weight‑loss and diabetes treatments, which in South Africa are limited to a small number of patients and not allowed for commercial distribution.

Regulators – the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) – inspected iDexis' facility in May and concluded the firm was producing GLP‑1 products beyond the permitted scope, citing serious quality, safety and compliance deficiencies. Products were seized and a recall ordered. iDexis disputes the findings, saying independent testing it commissioned found no sterility breaches and that the medicines were safe. Managing Director Ruaan Louw said the company will "take all necessary steps to vindicate its position and restore its reputation within the South African compounding pharmacy sector" and will also appeal the regulators' decisions.