Wegovy, a drug for obese patients sold in pharmacies (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean health authorities have issued an official notice to medical institutions urging caution in prescribing Wegovy, a recently introduced weight-loss medication, amid concerns over its indiscriminate prescription.
According to medical sources on November 15, the Ministry of Health and Welfare distributed a notice titled “Cooperation Request Regarding Prescription of Wegovy Pre-filled Pen” through the Korean Hospital Association, emphasizing the need for thorough patient evaluations before prescribing the drug.
Wegovy, which was launched in South Korea on November 15, is a weight management supplement for obesity treatment that gained international attention as a “miracle weight loss drug” after endorsements from Hollywood celebrities.
Despite being a prescription-only medication that should not be prescribed to individuals of normal weight for dietary or cosmetic purposes, concerns have emerged about its widespread prescription in clinical settings.
Of particular concern to health authorities is the growing number of prescriptions being issued through telemedicine consultations.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasized that medical institutions should “avoid promoting the drug in ways that might lead patients to believe it can be easily prescribed for general weight loss purposes” and “take special precautions to prevent misuse when prescribing through telemedicine.”
Under current regulations, Wegovy can only be prescribed to patients with a BMI of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who also have conditions such as hypertension or dyslipidemia.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has also requested that medical institutions comply with the Food and Drug Safety Administration’s approval conditions and properly inform patients about potential side effects, including gallbladder disease and pancreatitis, before prescribing the medication.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
