Original Article by Tamar Kahn | Business Day | 24 July 2026
The Extensior launch in South Africa offers 15% lower semaglutide prices, but Discovery Health says scheme coverage is unlikely to expand.
Image | Marc Bruxelle | 123rf/219368006
Novo Nordisk will launch Extensior in South Africa on 31 July. The medicine contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but will cost about 15% less.
The lower price could reduce monthly expenses for patients who pay for semaglutide themselves. However, the discount is unlikely to persuade medical schemes to expand funding for the costly diabetes treatment. Extensior will be the first registered alternative to Ozempic available to South African consumers.
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