Starting Next Week, Prescription of Obesity Treatments Like 'Wegovy' Will Be Restricted in Telemedicine

Ministry of Health and Welfare to Review Separate Measures by First Half of Next Year

Remote prescriptions of obesity treatment drugs, which have been subject to indiscriminate prescribing and misuse controversies, will be restricted.

A notice reading "Wegovy Stocked" is posted at a pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 16th of last month, when the global pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk's obesity treatment drug 'Wegovy' was launched in Korea. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

On the 29th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that from the 2nd of next month, prescriptions of obesity treatment drugs through remote medical consultations will be restricted. This measure comes in response to growing concerns over indiscriminate prescriptions and illegal distribution since the launch of Wegovy last October.

The restriction on prescribing obesity treatment drugs during remote consultations will be implemented through revisions to related guidelines. Accordingly, from the 2nd, medical institutions participating in the remote consultation pilot project will not be allowed to prescribe obesity treatment drugs.

However, to minimize confusion on the ground, a two-week grace period until the 15th of next month will be provided to inform about the changes in the system.

The government also plans to gather opinions from experts and patient groups by the first half of next year to consider establishing a separate remote consultation model specifically for obesity patients.