The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has caught pharmacies selling GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs without prescriptions or providing them to acquaintances. Cases were also identified in which doctors prescribed the drugs for their own use without creating medical records.
The ministry said Thursday that a joint inspection with local governments into the distribution of GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs uncovered violations at 6 out of 632 medical institutions and pharmacies.
According to the findings, some pharmacies sold GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs, which are prescription-only medications, without prescriptions or provided them to acquaintances. Such acts are prohibited under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and subject to up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won, along with suspension of license.
At medical institutions, cases were confirmed in which doctors who operated the facilities prescribed weight-loss drugs for their own use without completing medical records. This constitutes a violation of the Medical Service Act and is subject to a fine of up to 5 million won and a 15-day license suspension.
The inspection focused on medical institutions and pharmacies that received GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs, including injections containing tirzepatide. The ministry cross-checked supply records reported by pharmaceutical wholesalers to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service against actual inventory records and verified whether sales were made without prescriptions.
GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs have seen a sharp rise in demand both at home and abroad as their weight-loss effects have gained attention. Although originally developed as diabetes treatments, their growing use for cosmetic and dieting purposes has continuously raised concerns over supply shortages and illegal distribution.
The ministry is also expanding its crackdown on illegal sales and advertising through online platforms and social media. "We plan to continue monitoring the proper distribution of GLP-1 class weight-loss drugs and illegal sales and advertising activities," a ministry official said.
