Korea finds illegal sales in GLP-1 obesity drug inspections

Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, a tirzepatide injection, is among the GLP-1 weight-loss drugs drawing closer regulatory scrutiny in Korea. (Courtesy of Lilly Korea)

Korea has found illegal sales and record-keeping violations at clinics and pharmacies handling GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, adding pressure on a fast-growing market already under closer government watch.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) said Wednesday that six of 632 clinics and pharmacies inspected with local governments had violated medical or pharmaceutical rules.

The checks focused on sites that had received tirzepatide injections, the ingredient in Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro.

Inspectors compared wholesale supply records with clinic and pharmacy inventory records, and checked whether prescription-only drugs had been sold or dispensed without prescriptions.

Two clinics were found to have cases in which doctors used GLP-1 obesity drugs on themselves without creating medical records, the ministry said.

Four pharmacies sold the drugs without prescriptions or provided them to acquaintances.

The ministry did not name the clinics or pharmacies.

The latest inspection found violations at about 1 percent of the sites checked.

Local governments will pursue complaints and administrative action against the sites, the ministry said.

Failure to keep medical records can carry a fine of up to 5 million won ($3,350) and a 15-day suspension of medical qualifications.

Selling prescription medicines without a prescription can carry up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 10 million won and a 15-day suspension of pharmacist qualifications.

GLP-1 drugs have become one of the most closely watched areas in Korea’s drug market since Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) launched in October 2024 and Mounjaro entered the market in 2025.

The drugs can reduce appetite and help patients lose weight, but regulators have been trying to keep use within the medical system as demand spreads beyond patients with obesity-related medical needs.

The government has already moved to block overseas direct purchases of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and said it would crack down on illegal online sales and advertising.

The ministry has also been considering tighter controls on products such as Wegovy and Mounjaro because of misuse concerns.

Kim Ji-hye