Mounjaro has reached a milestone in South Korea with over 1.5 million prescriptions in just ten months. The rapid growth of this injectable treatment for weight management highlights a significant shift in medication usage across the country. Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service confirms the pace of this trend, showing a massive increase in monthly prescription volumes since its launch last August.
The demographic breakdown of these users suggests the drug is moving beyond its original intent for diabetes patients and those with severe medical obesity. Patients in their 20s and 30s make up a large portion of the total user base. Most concerning to regulators and lawmakers is the steady increase in prescriptions among teenagers, which has seen notable growth over the past several months.
Legislators are now pushing for tighter oversight. While the government currently requires warning labels, critics argue this is insufficient. There is a growing call to transition from simple distribution monitoring to stricter prescription controls through existing health review systems. This change would aim to restrict cosmetic use while maintaining access for patients who medically require the treatment.
This trend mirrors the broader popularity of GLP-1 medications across the market. Mounjaro has surpassed the prescription numbers of similar obesity treatments launched in the same period. The ongoing debate centers on how to balance market availability with the risks of misuse among younger populations.