The Wegovy, an anti-obsity medication, is all the rage in South Korea a society obsessed with thinness

While French doctors can receive it recently, in South Korea, this treatment is already a social phenomenon. Despite a very low obesity rate, thousands of people get about it to lose weight and respond to beauty standards.

Since June 23, French doctors have been authorized to prescribe anti-obesity drugs, such as Wegovy. In South Korea, this drug represents nearly $ 200 million in sales per year. A real phenomenon that goes far beyond the treatment of obesity, used by everyone now as a tool to lose weight in a society obsessed with thinness.

Wegovy is an anti-obeying medication that Koreans are tearing out. However, the country has only 4% of its population with obesity, compared to 17% in France. To comply with the beauty standards of the country who advocate slimming at all costs, Koreans do not hesitate to ask their doctors prescriptions for this medication normally reserved for people with obesity. To get around the regulations, customers exchange tips on the internet.

A client, who prefers to remain anonymous, shows us how it works. “This is an online discussion salon called ‘Losing weight with the Wegovy’, she describes. There are currently 714 people who participate in it, and even when I look at the screen, the conversation is very active in real time. Some discuss their experiences, the effects caused by the drug. “

“On this forum, people share the addresses of little -looking doctors that can give prescriptions and pharmacies to find Wegovy.”

A Wegovy consumer

on franceinfo

On the storefront of one of these pharmacies shared in the discussion group, the Wegovy is everywhere and we even promote it with discounts. This pharmacist sees many customers every day coming to buy boxes at almost 250 euros per unit. “”Since its launch, this drug is very popularshe reports. Although its price is a brake for many. It seems that, despite this cost, many people are interested in it.“”

A few meters away, Kim Seonggon, a general practitioner, signs dozens of prescription for Wegovy every day, even if his patients do not suffer from obesity. “”Yes, we prescribe them anywayhe admits. Because even if we do not give them here, they will get it elsewhere. There are also people who take it for professional reasons, such as models. We simply prefer to give them recommendations on use: ‘don’t take too much, it could cause diarrhea.’ We try to be responsible, but I have never received complaints of side effect.“”

Novo Nordisk, the Danish company behind the Wegovy, does not approve of the use of its medication by people who do not suffer from obesity. But in South Korea the social pressure to be thin is stronger.