South Korea Imposes Ban on Remote Prescription of Weight Loss Drugs
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Seoul, Nov 29 (NationPress) The health ministry of South Korea declared on Friday that it will prohibit the remote prescribing of weight loss medications, including Wegovy, which was introduced in the nation in October, in a bid to prevent possible abuse.
As reported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, this prohibition on remote prescriptions for weight loss drugs will commence on Monday, following a two-week grace period, according to the Yonhap news agency.
This decision arises amidst rising concerns regarding the misuse and illegal distribution of these medications, especially in light of the increasing popularity of Wegovy, developed by the Danish company Novo Nordisk.
Additionally, the government intends to formulate guidelines for telemedicine consultations concerning these medications within the first half of 2025, as mentioned by the health ministry.
Currently, South Korea has been allowing telemedicine consultations temporarily due to an ongoing strike by trainee doctors in general hospitals that began in February.
Wegovy was launched in South Korea on November 15. It is a medication aimed at weight management that treats obesity and has garnered global recognition as a 'miracle weight loss drug.'
The Health Ministry emphasized that medical facilities should “avoid encouraging the use of the drug in ways that might mislead patients into thinking it can be easily prescribed for general weight loss purposes” and “exercise special care to prevent misuse when prescribing through telemedicine.”
According to the current regulations, Wegovy can only be prescribed to individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Adults with a BMI ranging from 27 to 30 who also have conditions like hypertension or dyslipidemia may also qualify for the drug.
The Health Ministry has requested that medical institutions adhere to the approval conditions set by the Food and Drug Safety Administration. Prior to prescribing the medication, patients must be informed of potential side effects, including gallbladder disease and pancreatitis.
