[Wegovy. Self-made image illustrated by Set Byul Kim]

The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced the complete ban of non-face-to-face prescriptions for the obesity medication Wegovy, effective December 16, following a two-week guidance period that began December 2. 

Wegovy, developed by the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, has gained worldwide attention since its initial U.S. launch in June 2021.

The drug’s effectiveness has been notably endorsed by celebrities including Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Kim Kardashian.

The medication, which contains Semaglutide, was originally developed as a diabetes treatment before its weight-loss properties were discovered. 

It is specifically intended for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or overweight patients with diabetes and high blood pressure.

Unlike traditional weight loss medications such as pentamine and pentimetrazine, which can cause addiction and cancer due to their effects on the central nervous system, Wegovy operates differently. 

The drug works by mimicking GLP-1, a naturally occurring  hormone that creates a feeling of satiety when food enters the digestive system. 

The medication works through several key processes: it promotes insulin secretion to prevent blood sugar spikes, slows stomach emptying to maintain fullness, and acts on the brain’s hypothalamus to suppress appetite.

It has also shown benefits for diabetes treatment and cardiovascular disease.

Clinical trials have demonstrated Wegovy’s superior effectiveness compared to existing treatments.

Wegovy showed twice as much weight loss effect as the existing obesity medication "Saxenda", while Saxenda showed an average weight loss of 7.5% for 56 weeks, while Wegobi showed a weight loss effect of about 15% for 68 weeks.

However, concerns emerged shortly after Wegovy’s October 15, 2024 launch in South Korea.

During a parliamentary audit on October 23, legislators raised alarms about potential misuse and indiscriminate prescriptions.

These fears proved warranted when reports surfaced of healthy individuals obtaining the drug through telemedicine apps within 30 seconds.

Despite its substantial cost of 500,000 to 700,000 won monthly, demand has outstripped supply.

Social media communities have begun sharing information about cheaper prescription sources, while medical facilities across various specialties have begun prescribing the drug primarily for cosmetic purposes rather than medical necessity.

Recent reports from the United States have highlighted serious safety concerns.

A study published in the journal Cureus on Sep.19, a 74-year-old man in the U.S. died from cardiac arrest following acute pancreatitis after increasing his semaglutide dosage.

In another case, a 36-year-old woman developed  acute pancreatitis after obtaining and using the drug without proper medical supervision.

Known side effects range from mild symptoms such as headache and gastrointestinal issues to severe complications including choleithiasis, acute pancreatitis, and suicidal impulses.

Medical experts note that long-term effects on non-obese individuals without diabetes or cardiovascular disease remain unknown, as the drug has been available for less than five years.

In the first half of 2025, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to develop and implement a "non-face-to-face treatment model” specifically for highly obese patients requiring obesity medication.

This initiative will be developed in consultation with experts and patient organizations, including the Obesity Association.