Domestic competition over obesity drugs is intensifying. Wegovy was prescribed 400,000 times within eight months of its domestic launch, according to data released on the 25th. mounjaro also landed domestically this month, prompting a steady stream of inquiries. Because obesity drugs can cause side effects such as acute pancreatitis, vomiting and diarrhea, warnings about misuse are increasing.
According to data submitted on the 25th by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) to Rep. Kim Seon-min of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Rebuilding Korea Party, the number of Wegovy prescriptions through the drug safety use service (DUR) from the domestic launch in October last year through June this year was 395,379.
The drug safety use service is an electronic system used by pharmacies and medical institutions to check how much of a drug a patient has previously been prescribed. Wegovy is not covered by health insurance, so the exact scale of prescriptions cannot be determined. However, usage trends can be identified through the drug safety use service.
Eli Lilly recently released mounjaro, further increasing interest in obesity drugs. Wegovy and mounjaro are glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 class obesity drugs. GLP-1 is a hormone secreted from the small intestine after meals that promotes insulin secretion from the pancreas and suppresses glucagon to lower blood sugar. Drugs that mimic this were originally developed as diabetes treatments but evolved into obesity treatments after weight-loss effects were confirmed. They reduce appetite in the brain and slow gastric emptying to increase satiety and reduce weight.
However, obesity drugs can cause side effects such as acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that causes abdominal pain, nausea and fever, and can be fatal in severe cases. British health authorities launched an investigation in June after hundreds of cases emerged in which patients reported acute pancreatitis after receiving obesity drugs.
Other side effects of obesity drugs can include vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. If given incorrectly to patients with type 2 diabetes, they can lead to hypoglycemia or retinopathy. Both Wegovy and mounjaro are administered as once-weekly injections. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explains that rashes and pain may occur at the injection site.
GLP-1 class obesity drugs should be administered to adult patients with obesity whose body mass index is 30 or higher. They can also be used for those with a body mass index of 27 or higher who have conditions such as hypertension. Some people with lower body mass indexes seek illegal purchase routes online.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said, "Do not purchase through overseas direct purchase or personal sales online," and added, "Obesity drugs are prescription medicines that should be used cautiously after being prescribed by a physician and following a pharmacist's medication guidance." During treatment with obesity drugs, it is also necessary to improve eating habits and increase physical activity. Otherwise, appetite may return after stopping treatment and weight may rebound.