Amid growing concerns over the indiscriminate use of obesity treatments in South Korea, the government is expected to designate these drugs as 'drugs of concern for misuse'.
According to government sources on May 28, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is currently revising its regulations (MFDS notice) to classify obesity treatments as drugs of concern for misuse.
Since their launch, obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have been used not only by obesity patients but also by the general public for weight loss purposes, raising issues.
Wegovy, an obesity treatment, is a prescription drug that should be used under a doctor's prescription and a pharmacist's dispensing and medication guidance. It is indicated for adult obesity patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, or for those with a BMI of 27 kg/m² or higher and less than 30 kg/m² who have at least one weight-related comorbidity such as hypertension or diabetes.
However, it is easily prescribed even to those seeking weight loss for cosmetic purposes. In practice, many medical institutions prescribe obesity treatments even when patients do not meet these criteria, and hospitals known as 'holy grail' clinics are reported to prescribe as much as patients want.
In response, the government has taken steps to manage this issue. Drugs of concern for misuse are those that are used excessively beyond their approved purpose or dosage, or that carry high risks of abuse, dependence, or side effects, requiring strict management.
Once designated as a drug of concern for misuse, the drug's packaging must include the phrase 'drug of concern for misuse,' and prescription and distribution controls will be strengthened. Additionally, crackdowns on illegal online advertising and sales will be intensified.
The MFDS is currently revising its notice procedures to designate obesity treatments as drugs of concern for misuse.
An MFDS official stated, 'Once the procedure is completed, it will go through regulatory review by the Office for Government Policy Coordination, followed by an administrative notice of the partial amendment to the notice. Then, we will comprehensively review opinions submitted during the administrative notice period and revise the notice accordingly.'
Source: Read the original report | Published: May 28, 2026