The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety decided to strengthen guidance on safe use as concerns grow over misuse of GLP-1 class obesity drugs. It urged people to refrain from online overseas direct purchases and person-to-person transaction, and said it will also check medical institutions and pharmacies for advertising of off-label use.
The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said on the 7th that GLP-1 class obesity drugs are prescription medicines that must be used according to approved indications and dosage under a doctor's prescription.
GLP-1 class obesity drugs approved in Korea are prescribed to adult obesity patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/㎡ or higher, or to overweight patients with a BMI of 27 kg/㎡ or higher who also have weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or dyslipidemia.
Some products can be used in adolescents aged 12 and older, but they must meet criteria such as an obesity diagnosis and a certain weight threshold. The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety explained that caution is needed for adolescents because nutritional deficiency or excessive weight loss may occur during growth. It added that dehydration due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions and the occurrence of acute pancreatitis should also be closely monitored.
The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety urged caution to prevent cases of purchasing GLP-1 class obesity drugs through overseas direct purchases or person-to-person transaction as they become perceived as a simple "diet pill." It explained that medicines bought through overseas direct purchases have not been approved in Korea, so their safety and efficacy have not been verified, and there is also a possibility that counterfeit medicines may be distributed.
The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety plans to disseminate safe-use information through card news and short-form videos and, in cooperation with related agencies such as the Ministry of Education, to strengthen guidance for adolescents and parents. Together with local governments, it will also conduct intensive inspections of medical institutions and pharmacies for off-label use advertising and exaggerated advertising.