Health and life insurer Discovery's rewards scheme Vitality is increasing its support for medical scheme members taking GLP-1 medicines for obesity. According to Vitality SA chief medical officer Mosima Mabunda, sustained weight loss requires more than just medication. Research shows many patients stop treatment within a year, while Discovery's analysis of claims from Discovery Health Medical Scheme members reveals most stop claiming for GLP-1 medicines after less than six months.
In response, Vitality will now offer people who join its HealthyWeight programme a doctor-led assessment that may include a prescription for anti-obesity medicines. The programme aims to encourage individuals taking anti-obesity drugs to make lasting changes to their diet and exercise habits. This approach is based on research showing GLP-1 medicines have a more sustained impact when accompanied by lifestyle changes. However, many patients lack access to the necessary support to achieve these goals.
Vitality's weight management programme includes consultations with dieticians and rewards for making healthier food purchases. According to Mabunda, demand for GLP-1 medicines has surged since 2022, with claims paid out to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members rising almost threefold from 22,400 to 61,200 in 2025. These figures under-represent the true scale of GLP-1 use, as many individuals pay out of pocket for their medication.
The number of people using GLP-1 medicines is expected to increase significantly when cheaper generics become available. Novo Nordisk's patent on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, expired in South Africa earlier this year. This paves the way for generic drug manufacturers to submit applications to register their versions of the drug to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.
According to Discovery's analysis, 70% of Vitality members living with obesity in 2010 were still obese 15 years later. This highlights the difficulty of reversing the condition once established. Discovery Vitality CEO Dinesh Govender notes that obesity is not simply a lifestyle issue, but a chronic disease that often becomes harder to reverse over time.
Govender emphasizes the importance of early intervention and providing people with the support they need to prevent obesity from becoming a persistent health issue. The company's analysis also reveals that barely half of Vitality members classed as overweight in 2010 had moved to a healthy weight range by 2025. Furthermore, people living with obesity have a 52% higher risk of mortality compared to individuals with a healthy weight.
By enhancing its support for medical scheme members taking GLP-1 medicines, Vitality aims to encourage sustained weight loss and improved health outcomes. The programme's focus on lifestyle changes and access to healthcare professionals is expected to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals living with obesity. Key to this effort is the recognition that obesity is a complex condition requiring comprehensive support.
Key points
- Demand for GLP-1 medicines has surged since 2022, with claims rising almost threefold.
- Vitality's programme includes consultations with dieticians and rewards for healthier food purchases.
- Obesity is a chronic disease that often becomes harder to reverse over time.
