Concerns Over Misuse of Anti-Obesity Drugs... Ministry Warns "Use Only as Prescribed"

Prescription Medications for Obese and Overweight Patients
Adolescents Require Caution Due to Growth, Dehydration, and Pancreatitis Risks
Warnings Issued on Dangers of Overseas Purchases and Personal Transactions

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has issued a warning regarding the misuse and abuse of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) class obesity treatments.

On July 8, the Ministry stated that GLP-1 class obesity drugs should be used carefully and only by patients who meet the criteria for obesity, following the prescription of a medical professional and in accordance with approved guidelines. GLP-1 class obesity drugs are prescription medications for adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/㎡ or higher, or for overweight adults with a BMI of 27 kg/㎡ to less than 30 kg/㎡ who also have at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as hypertension.

On the 16th, the day Novo Nordisk's obesity treatment drug Wegovy was launched in South Korea, a notice saying "Belly Fat Medicine In Stock" was posted at a pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

Extra caution is required when prescribing these drugs to adolescents. While some GLP-1 class obesity drugs can be prescribed to adolescents, their growth is not yet complete, so insufficient nutrition and rapid weight loss can impact development. Side effects such as dehydration due to gastrointestinal issues or acute pancreatitis must also be closely monitored.

The Ministry warned that these medications could be misused as simple "diet pills" due to misinformation. Since obesity treatments are prescription medications that must be used under a doctor's prescription and a pharmacist's guidance, they should not be purchased through online overseas direct purchases or person-to-person transactions.

In particular, products purchased from overseas websites have not been approved in Korea and thus their safety and efficacy have not been fully verified. It is also difficult to confirm the manufacturing and distribution process, increasing the risk of counterfeit or substandard drugs, and if harm occurs during use, it is difficult to receive legal protection such as product recalls or compensation.

To enhance user understanding of obesity treatments, the Ministry plans to produce card news and short-form videos to promote the safe use of these medications via social networking services (SNS). In addition, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, information on the safe use of obesity treatments will be provided on websites frequently visited by adolescents and parents.

Together with local governments, the Ministry will also focus on monitoring hospitals, pharmacies, and other institutions for unapproved advertisements and exaggerated claims related to obesity treatments. The Ministry stated, "We will work to improve users' understanding of obesity treatments and actively provide guidance on safe use within the scope of approved indications, thereby creating an environment where these medications can be used safely."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.