Ministry of Health and Welfare to consider separate measures by the first half of next year
Non-face-to-face prescriptions for obesity treatment drugs, which are causing controversy over indiscriminate prescription and misuse, will be restricted.
On the 16th of last month, when global pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk’s obesity treatment drug ‘Wegobi’ was launched in Korea, a ‘Wegobi in stock’ notice was posted at a pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Reporter Kang Jin-hyung
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The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 29th that it will restrict prescriptions for obesity treatment through non-face-to-face treatment starting from the 2nd of next month. This measure is in response to growing concerns about indiscriminate prescriptions and illegal distribution since the launch of WeGobee last October.
Restrictions on prescription of obesity treatment drugs during non-face-to-face medical treatment will be implemented through revision of related guidelines. Accordingly, from the 2nd, medical institutions participating in the non-face-to-face treatment pilot project will not prescribe obesity treatment drugs.
However, in order to minimize confusion in the field, we plan to provide guidance on system changes over a two-week guidance period until the 15th of next month.
The government also decided to review a plan to prepare a separate non-face-to-face medical treatment model for obese patients by collecting opinions from experts and patient groups by the first half of next year.
Reporter Jo In-kyung ikjo@asiae.co.kr
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Source: www.asiae.co.kr
