| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Historical Data Period | 2019 - 2023 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 349.10 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 394.21 Million |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 2.46 % |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market Analysis
The South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market size is estimated at USD 349.10 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 394.21 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 2.46% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
South Africa is currently witnessing a troubling rise in the demand for diabetes drugs, which mirrors the increasing prevalence of diabetes within its population. As the nation deals with the challenges of urbanization and lifestyle changes, the incidence of diabetes has reached alarming levels, requiring an urgent response from healthcare authorities and policymakers.
South Africa encounters numerous obstacles in effectively managing the diabetes epidemic, despite its ongoing efforts. The complexity of the issue is exacerbated by limited healthcare access, discrepancies in healthcare provision between urban and rural regions, and socioeconomic factors like poverty and unemployment. Additionally, the exorbitant prices of diabetes medications create a significant hurdle for treatment, especially for individuals belonging to marginalized communities.
In light of the increasing incidence of diabetes, there has been a proportional rise in the need for diabetes treatments throughout South Africa. Oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin formulations, and other supplementary therapies have become essential resources in diabetes management, aiding patients in achieving glycemic regulation and reducing the likelihood of complications.
Pharmaceutical firms have acknowledged the surge in demand for diabetes medications and have extended their manufacturing capabilities to address this requirement. Furthermore, healthcare professionals are striving to enhance the availability of these treatments, especially in underserved rural regions where healthcare facilities may be scarce.
Thus, the increasing diabetes population is driving diabetes drugs in south africa market.
South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market Trends
The oral anti-diabetic drugs segment holds the highest market share in the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market in the current year
Oral Anti-Diabetic Drugs are available internationally and are recommended for use when escalation of treatment for type 2 diabetes is required along with lifestyle management. Oral agents are typically the first medications used in treating type 2 diabetes due to their wide range of efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action.
Anti-diabetic drugs help diabetes patients control their condition and lower the risk of diabetes complications. People with diabetes may need to take anti-diabetic drugs for their whole lives to control their blood glucose levels and avoid hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Oral anti-diabetic agents present the advantages of easier management and lower cost. So they became an attractive alternative to insulin with better acceptance, which enhances adherence to the treatment.
In July 2022, Zydus Lifesciences announced that it had received final approval to market Empagliflozin and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets in multiple strengths. Empagliflozin and Metformin Hydrochloride tablets are used with proper diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. They are also used to lower the risk of cardiovascular death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.
Due to the early age and longer diabetes duration, the youth is at risk of developing diabetes at a younger age. It lessens their life quality, shortens life expectancy, and increases healthcare costs to society. One of the most effective ways to decrease the prevalence of diabetes in South Africa is to educate citizens and encourage healthy decision-making. South Africa is currently working towards this goal.
One recent preventative measure the South African government took was implementing a sugar tax. By charging more for sugary drinks and foods, the government is fighting obesity and helping citizens make more conscious decisions. South Africa briefly launched a Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP). The DPP aims to integrate intervention treatments into a culturally relevant context through household questionnaires and group gatherings for at-risk individuals.
Owing to the factors above, the market studied is anticipated to grow over the analysis period.
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Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Segment is expected to register highest CAGR in the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a class of medications used for treating type 2 diabetes, and some drugs are also approved for obesity. One of the benefits of this class of drugs over older insulin secretagogues, such as sulfonylureas or meglitinides, is that they include a lower risk of causing hypoglycemia. Besides being important glucose-lowering agents, GLP-1RAs contain significant anti-inflammatory and pulmonary protective effects and benefit gut microbes' composition.
Diabetes South Africa (DSA), the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA), and Youth with Diabetes (YWD) are the various organizations in South Africa working towards helping diabetes patients. DSA is a nonprofit that centers around mobilizing volunteers to demand better treatment for those with diabetes and focuses on educating citizens and lobbying the government for better facilities and cheaper healthcare.
Further, SEMDSA researches the genetic sources and causes of diabetes. This organization also promotes high treatment standards and encourages widespread medicine availability. The organizations are promoting the allocation of an increased budget dedicated to funding all aspects of diabetes care and providing a system for better coordination with the Council of Medical Schemes. It is the organization in charge of reimbursement to limit out-of-pocket payments and prevent increased expenditure for patients.
Diabetes is a significant health problem and one of the great challenges for healthcare systems. The disease's growing incidence, prevalence, and progressive nature encouraged the development of new drugs to provide additional treatment options for diabetic patients. The roll-out of many new products, increasing international research collaborations in technology advancement, and increasing awareness about diabetes among people are some market opportunities for the players.
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South Africa Diabetes Drugs Industry Overview
The South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market is moderately consolidated, with major manufacturers, namely Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, and other generic players holding a presence in the region. A major share of the market is held by manufacturers concomitant with strategy-based M&A operations and constantly entering the market to generate new revenue streams and boost existing ones. These measures taken by the market players will ensure a competitive marketplace, forcing companies to experiment with new technologies.
South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market Leaders
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AstraZeneca
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Merck
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Boehringer Ingelheim
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Novo Nordisk A/S
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Sanofi Aventis
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market News
- Spetmber 2023: Novo Nordisk has revealed a fresh collaboration aimed at setting up human insulin manufacturing in South Africa, demonstrating an increased dedication to delivering essential treatment to individuals with diabetes throughout Africa.
- December 2022: Boehringer Ingelheim announced The DINAMO Phase III clinical trial met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c with empagliflozin compared with placebo for children and adolescents aged 10-17 years living with type 2 diabetes. The DINAMO (Diabetes Study of Linagliptin and Empagliflozin In Children And Adolescents) trial included youth aged 10-17 with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c 6.5% and 10.5%.
South Africa Diabetes Drugs Industry Segmentation
Diabetes Drugs are used to manage diabetes mellitus by lowering the glucose level in the blood. The South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market is segmented into drugs (insulin drugs (basal or long-acting insulins, bolus or fast-acting insulins, traditional human insulins, and biosimilar insulins), oral anti-diabetic drugs (Biguanides, Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors, Dopamine D2 receptor agonist, SGLT-2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, Sulfonylureas, and Meglitinides), non-insulin injectable drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists and Amylin Analogue), and combination drugs (insulin combinations and oral combinations)). The report offers the value (in USD) and volume (in units) for the above segments.
| Oral Anti-diabetic drugs | Biguanides | ||
| Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors | |||
| Dopamine D2 receptor agonist | |||
| SGLT-2 inhibitors | Invokana (Canagliflozin) | ||
| Jardiance (Empagliflozin) | |||
| Farxiga/Forxiga (Dapagliflozin) | |||
| Suglat (Ipragliflozin) | |||
| DPP-4 inhibitors | Onglyza (Saxagliptin) | ||
| Tradjenta (Linagliptin) | |||
| Vipidia/Nesina(Alogliptin) | |||
| Galvus (Vildagliptin) | |||
| Sulfonylureas | |||
| Meglitinides | |||
| Insulins | Basal or Long Acting Insulins | Lantus (Insulin Glargine) | |
| Levemir (Insulin Detemir) | |||
| Toujeo (Insulin Glargine) | |||
| Tresiba (Insulin Degludec) | |||
| Basaglar (Insulin Glargine) | |||
| Bolus or Fast Acting Insulins | NovoRapid/Novolog (Insulin Aspart) | ||
| Humalog (Insulin Lispro) | |||
| Apidra (Insulin Glulisine) | |||
| Traditional Human Insulins | Novolin/Actrapid/Insulatard | ||
| Humulin | |||
| Insuman | |||
| Biosimilar Insulins | Insulin Glargine Biosimilars | ||
| Human Insulin Biosimilars | |||
| Combination drugs | Insulin combinations | NovoMix (Biphasic Insulin Aspart) | |
| Ryzodeg (Insulin Degludec and Insulin Aspart) | |||
| Xultophy (Insulin Degludec and Liraglutide) | |||
| Oral Combinations | Janumet (Sitagliptin and Metformin) | ||
| Non-Insulin Injectable drugs | GLP-1 receptor agonists | Victoza (Liraglutide) | |
| Byetta (Exenatide) | |||
| Bydureon (Exenatide) | |||
| Trulicity (Dulaglutide) | |||
| Lyxumia (Lixisenatide) | |||
| Amylin Analogue | Symlin (Pramlintide) | ||
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South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market Research FAQs
How big is the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market?
The South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market size is expected to reach USD 349.10 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 2.46% to reach USD 394.21 million by 2030.
What is the current South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market size?
In 2025, the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market size is expected to reach USD 349.10 million.
Who are the key players in South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market?
AstraZeneca, Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novo Nordisk A/S and Sanofi Aventis are the major companies operating in the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market.
What years does this South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market size was estimated at USD 340.51 million. The report covers the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the South Africa Diabetes Drugs Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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South Africa Diabetes Drugs Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 South Africa Diabetes Drugs market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. South Africa Diabetes Drugs analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
