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As obesity treatments like Mounjaro and Wegovy gain popularity, illegal imports from overseas have surged. Among the smuggled Mounjaro products, some were counterfeits with erratic ingredient concentrations and even unidentified impurities.

Reporter Jeon Hyeong-u has the details.

[Reporter]

Opening a package shipped from India via international mail reveals boxes labeled as Mounjaro.

However, an analysis of the injectable contents inside showed significant deviations in the concentration of tirzepatide, Mounjaro's active ingredient, and even detected unidentified impurities in some products.

They are counterfeit Mounjaro.

These pharmaceuticals must be stored between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F), but it was confirmed that they were being transported without a cold chain distribution system.

Recently, as obesity treatments such as Mounjaro and Wegovy have surged in popularity, overseas imports have increased significantly.

The Korea Customs Service stated that illegal imports of obesity treatments, which stood at just 4 cases two years ago, jumped to over 1,100 cases last year, with 5,000 cases detected in the first eight months of this year alone.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are designated as harmful pharmaceuticals notified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to the Korea Customs Service and cannot be brought into the country without prescribed import requirements.

Professor Na Dong-hee of Chung-Ang University College of Pharmacy, who analyzed the counterfeit Mounjaro alongside the Korea Customs Service, explained, "Arbitrarily purchasing and using products whose source and quality are unverified can be dangerous."

An official from the Korea Customs Service stated, "We will strengthen customs clearance inspections across all entry routes, including travelers, international mail, and express cargo, and take strict action against illegal activities."

(Video by Choi Jin-hwa | Footage provided by Korea Customs Service)