South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Market Size and Share
South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market size is projected to be USD 192.14 million in 2026, USD 192.72 million in 2027, and reach USD 195.63 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 0.3% from 2027 to 2032.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of South Africa's large population living with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Individuals with diabetes were identified as having a significantly higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes, including hospitalization and mortality, prompting healthcare providers to prioritize continuity of diabetes care throughout the pandemic. The disruption of routine medical services and movement restrictions further emphasized the need for accessible insulin therapy and effective glucose management, supporting the utilization of insulin products and delivery devices across the country.
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body cannot make insulin properly, and is more commonly diagnosed in young people. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Diabetes treatment aims to maintain healthy blood glucose levels to prevent both short and long-term complications, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, and lower limb amputation. For a patient with type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy is important for replacing the insulin that the body doesn't produce. People with type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy if other treatments, such as diabetes medications and other lifestyle changes, are not able to keep blood glucose levels within the desired range.
Recognizing the increasing burden of diabetes, South Africa has strengthened efforts to improve chronic disease management through national policies and diabetes care frameworks. Initiatives such as the South Africa Diabetes Declaration Implementation Strategy and the Integrated Chronic Disease Management model aim to enhance early diagnosis, treatment adherence, patient education, and access to essential diabetes medicines and supplies. The continued focus on improving diabetes care infrastructure and expanding access to treatment is expected to support the long-term growth of the insulin market in South Africa.
Therefore, owing to the aforementioned factors, the studied market is anticipated to witness growth over the analysis period.
Note: Market numbers in this report are based on Mordor Intelligence's proprietary estimation framework, which combines nine months of actuals with Q4 projections for base year 2026.
South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Market Trends and Insights
Rising diabetes prevalence
In South Africa, Diabetes Population is expected to increase with a CAGR greater than 2.5% over the forecast period.
According to IDF Diabetes Atlas latest estimates, one in nine adults in South Africa is living with diabetes. The diabetes prevalence in South Africa has reached 11.3%, the highest in Africa. The cost of diabetes-related health expenditure has risen to 1,700 USD per person which is estimated to be around 7.2 billion USD. In South Africa, diabetes is the fastest-growing disease, and the country has a high number of diabetic patients. The prevalence of diabetes is growing among all ages in South Africa, which can be attributed to the increasingly obese population, along with an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
The South African government has increasingly focused on addressing diabetes through broader non-communicable disease (NCD) strategies aimed at reducing obesity and improving long-term disease management. The Health Promotion Levy (commonly known as the sugar tax), introduced to curb excessive sugar consumption, reflects the country's efforts to tackle one of the key risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. In addition, diabetes screening and management have become important components of primary healthcare services, supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
South Africa is also strengthening chronic disease care through initiatives such as the Integrated Chronic Disease Management (ICDM) model and the South Africa Diabetes Declaration, which promote improved diagnosis, treatment adherence, patient monitoring, and access to essential diabetes medicines and supplies. Furthermore, organizations including Diabetes South Africa and the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA) continue to advocate for better reimbursement policies, greater patient access to diabetes technologies, and expanded diabetes care services. These efforts are expected to improve diabetes management and support sustained demand for insulin and related delivery devices across the country.
The Insulin Syringes Segment is Expected to Witness Highest Growth Rate Over the Forecast Period
The insulin Syringe Segment is expected to grow with a CAGR of more than 0.80% in the market during the forecast period.
Type 1 diabetes is caused due to the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. Hence, type 1 patients are mostly prescribed with the intake of the hormone. Usually, doctors prescribe type 2 diabetes patients to take Insulin through external sources like an Insulin syringe. The Insulin syringe can be used by any diabetic patient to take Insulin as per the recommendation of a medical expert. However, depending on the type and brand, all types of Insulin cannot be used through an Insulin syringe.
Insulin syringes continue to represent a widely utilized insulin delivery method due to their affordability, broad availability, and suitability for both public and private healthcare settings. In South Africa, where a significant proportion of diabetic patients depend on cost-effective treatment options, insulin syringes remain an accessible solution for long-term insulin administration. Their ability to deliver flexible dosing based on individual patient requirements further supports their adoption among insulin-dependent patients. As efforts to improve access to diabetes treatment and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures continue, the demand for insulin syringes is expected to remain strong across the country.
Diabetes South Africa is a nonprofit organization that 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 standards of treatment and encourages the widespread availability of medicine. 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, the organization in charge of reimbursement, to limit out-of-pocket payments and prevent increased expenditure for patients.
Such factors are likely to boost the market prospects in the years to come.
Competitive Landscape
The South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Market is semi-consolidated, with few significant and generic players. The major players are working on innovations in insulin drugs and devices which is evident from the companies spending on research and developments to strengthen their market presence.
South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Industry Leaders
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Novo Nordisk
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Julphar
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Pfizer
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Sanofi
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Novartis
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- September 2023: Novo Nordisk announced a new partnership to establish human insulin production in South Africa as part of an expanded commitment to provide life-saving treatment to people living with diabetes across the African continent. Novo Nordisk will work with Aspen SA Operations (Pty) Ltd. and Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (Aspen) in South Africa to step up the existing supply of affordable human insulin.
- May 2023: Medtronic plc announced it has entered into a set of definitive agreements to acquire EOFlow Co. Ltd., manufacturer of the EOPatch device - a tubeless, wearable, and fully disposable insulin delivery device. The addition of EOFlow, together with Medtronic's Meal Detection Technology algorithm and next-generation continuous glucose monitor (CGM), is expected to expand the company's ability to address the needs of more individuals with diabetes.
South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Market Report Scope
There are different ways to inject insulin into a patient’s body using syringes, pens, pumps, and jet injectors giving them various options for insulin delivery. The South Africa Insulin Drugs and Delivery Devices Market is segmented into Drugs (Basal or Long-acting Insulins, Bolus or Fast-acting Insulins, Traditional Human Insulins, Combination Insulins, and Biosimilar Insulins) and Devices (Insulin Pens, Insulin Pumps, Insulin Syringes, and Jet Injectors). The report offers the value (in USD) and volume (in Units) for the above segments.
| 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) | |
| FIASP (Insulin aspart) | |
| Admelog (Insulin lispro Sanofi) | |
| Traditional Human Insulins | Novolin/Mixtard/Actrapid/Insulatard |
| Humulin | |
| Insuman | |
| Combination Insulins | NovoMix (Biphasic Insulin aspart) |
| Ryzodeg (Insulin degludec and Insulin aspart) | |
| Xultophy (Insulin degludec and Liraglutide) | |
| Soliqua/Suliqua (Insulin glargine and Lixisenatide) | |
| Biosimilar Insulins | Insulin Glargine Biosimilars |
| Human Insulin Biosimilars |
| Insulin Pumps | Insulin Pump Devices |
| Insulin Pump Reservoirs | |
| Insulin Infusion sets | |
| Insulin Pens | Cartridges in reusable pens |
| Disposable insulin pens | |
| Insulin Syringes | |
| Insulin Jet Injectors |
| Drug | 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) | ||
| FIASP (Insulin aspart) | ||
| Admelog (Insulin lispro Sanofi) | ||
| Traditional Human Insulins | Novolin/Mixtard/Actrapid/Insulatard | |
| Humulin | ||
| Insuman | ||
| Combination Insulins | NovoMix (Biphasic Insulin aspart) | |
| Ryzodeg (Insulin degludec and Insulin aspart) | ||
| Xultophy (Insulin degludec and Liraglutide) | ||
| Soliqua/Suliqua (Insulin glargine and Lixisenatide) | ||
| Biosimilar Insulins | Insulin Glargine Biosimilars | |
| Human Insulin Biosimilars | ||
| Device | Insulin Pumps | Insulin Pump Devices |
| Insulin Pump Reservoirs | ||
| Insulin Infusion sets | ||
| Insulin Pens | Cartridges in reusable pens | |
| Disposable insulin pens | ||
| Insulin Syringes | ||
| Insulin Jet Injectors | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How big is the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market?
The South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market size is expected to reach USD 192.14 million in 2026 and grow at a CAGR of 0.3% to reach USD 195.63 million by 2032.
What is the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market size in 2027?
In 2027, the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market size is expected to reach USD 192.72 million.
Who are the key players in South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market?
Novo Nordisk, Julphar, Pfizer, Sanofi and Novartis are the major companies operating in the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market.
What years does this South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market cover, and what was the market size in 2025?
In 2025, the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market size was estimated at USD 191.57 million. The report covers the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market historical market size for years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. The report also forecasts the South Africa Insulin Drugs And Delivery Devices Market size for years: 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, and 2032.