Amid Surge in Growth Hormone Prescriptions, Safety Measures Strengthened for All Products

In response to the surge in prescriptions for growth hormone products, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has tightened safety-use measures for these treatments.

The Ministry announced that risk management plans will be applied to all 21 growth hormone products—which patients can self-administer under a doctor's prescription and guidance—starting today (September 1).

With the implementation of the risk management plan, license holders must strengthen safety-use measures, such as distributing user manuals for patients and explanatory materials for medical professionals including doctors and pharmacists to clinical settings.

In addition, they must annually evaluate the results of implementing the risk management plan, including domestic and international adverse event reports, and submit them to the authorities.

Growth hormone products are prescription drugs used for pediatric growth failure caused by growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, and other conditions.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of growth hormone prescriptions surged from approximately 895,000 cases in 2020 to 1,621,000 cases in 2024.

(Photo: Provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.