▲ Mounjaro 2.5mg and 5mg
The number of diet drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy intercepted by customs authorities through August of this year has surged to more than four times the total from last year.
Analysis revealed that these included so-called "counterfeit" treatments with insufficient active ingredients or mixed with impurities.
According to the Korea Customs Service on September 17, the number of intercepted illegal imports of obesity treatments skyrocketed from 4 cases in 2024 to 1,189 cases last year, and reached 5,030 cases through August of this year.
This is 4.2 times the annual total for last year.
Mounjaro and Wegovy imported from overseas are designated as hazardous pharmaceuticals notified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to the Korea Customs Service, and cannot be brought into the country without meeting prescribed import requirements such as a "Recommendation for Exemption from Import Requirement Verification."
Looking at the intercepted cases over the past three years (6,223 cases) by entry route, international mail accounted for 4,961 cases, traveler carry-on luggage for 1,232 cases, and express cargo for 30 cases.
Among these illegally imported treatments, some were found to have active ingredient contents below the required standards.
The Central Customs Analysis Office, which analyzes the components of items intercepted and withheld from customs clearance, teamed up with research teams from Chung-Ang University College of Pharmacy to analyze Mounjaro products originating from India that were blocked from entering at the customs clearance stage.
As a result, there was a wide variance in the content of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, across the products.
Multiple unidentified impurities were also detected in some products.
Mounjaro must be refrigerated at 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F) to maintain quality, but the products in question were found to have been transported without a cold chain distribution system.
Professor Na Dong-hee of Chung-Ang University College of Pharmacy explained, "Injectables, in particular, require strict manufacturing and quality control, including not only active ingredient and impurity management but also ensuring sterility. Using products purchased arbitrarily without verified sources and quality can be dangerous."
Lee Jin-hee, Director General for Customs Clearance at the Korea Customs Service, stated, "As attempts to illegally import various pharmaceuticals such as obesity treatments are increasing, we will strengthen customs clearance inspections by entry route and take stern measures against illegal activities such as smuggling."
(Photo provided by Eli Lilly Korea, Korea Customs Service, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.