We're just 80 days away from Christmas, a time when many of us start feeling the pressure to shed those extra kilograms. The reality is, that we'll soon be reuniting with family members, some of whom tend to make unsolicited comments about our appearance. Interestingly, a trend that originated in America has made its way to South Africa, and it involves the growing popularity of a medication called Ozempic (also known as semaglutide), typically used for diabetes management but also sought after for its potential in accelerating weight loss. The main catch with the drug is that its active ingredient (glucagon-like peptide-1) makes users feel full faster which causes them to shed weight. What does all of this mean for those of us on a weight loss journey and, importantly, for diabetes patients who are facing difficulties accessing this medication due to its newfound alternative use worldwide? Principal Scientist at Ezintsha Research Centre Dr Nomathemba Chandiwana and Board Member at the South African Medical Association (SAMA) Professor Jacques Snyman join Lerato Mbele for the conversation.