Taxpayers fund premium weight-loss jabs like Ozempic for SA prisoners | 9 News Australia

Welcome to 9News Australia. In this exclusive state investigation, a major controversy has erupted within the South Australian correctional system. Taxpayers are reportedly footing the bill for premium weight-loss and diabetic medications, including Ozempic, to be distributed to inmates behind bars for free. The bombshell revelation comes directly after a prison source leaked claims that diabetic inmates are actively utilizing the highly sought-after treatments strictly as a shortcut to lose weight while serving out their sentences. This development follows almost identical state prison healthcare stories emerging from Victoria, where massive public backlash hit correctional facilities over the usage of state funds for lifestyle medications. Reporting live from Adelaide, 9News South Australia Reporter Will Di Fulvio breaks down the details of the brewing crisis. In response to the leaked documents, SA Health has fiercely defended the policy, classifying the pharmaceutical distribution as a legitimate preventative medical treatment required to avoid catastrophic, long-term health complications that would cost the public purse significantly more in emergency hospitalisations. However, the health department has denied parts of the report, clarifying that under current state law, no inmate is allowed to be newly prescribed these premium drugs solely for aesthetic weight management. Instead, the government maintains that the program strictly supports fewer than 15 current inmates who entered correctional centres with pre-existing, legally valid prescriptions. With law-abiding citizens paying upwards of $700 per month out-of-pocket for non-subsidised alternatives like Mounjaro, the revelation that prisoners are gaining unfettered access has sparked a fierce political row over prison dietary standards and public expenditure. 9News anchors Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo explore the ethical and financial ramifications of the program. Watch the full broadcast for on-the-scene footage, department statements, and breaking medical policy analysis.| *Subscribe and 🔔: http://9Soci.al/KM6e50GjSK9* *Get more breaking news at 9News.com.au: http://9Soci.al/iyCO50GjSK6* FOLLOW 9News Australia ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/9News/ ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9news/ Join 9News for the latest in news and events that affect you in your local city, as well as news from across Australia and the world. #9News #BreakingNews #NineNewsAustralia #9NewsAU