Obesity treatments cost more in South Korea than in China and Japan

Wegovy and Mounjaro prices in South Korea are significantly higher than those in neighboring countries, according to the medical community and the non-face-to-face medical platform My Doctor on the 19th. The average selling price of low-dose Wegovy (0.5mg per pen) in South Korea is 289,170 Korean won, while the high-dose version (2.4mg per pen) is 426,410 Korean won, and Mounjaro low-dose (5mg per pack) averages 430,000 Korean won while the high-dose (10mg per pack) reaches 550,000 Korean won.

Since these are non-insurance-covered items, prices vary widely across hospitals and pharmacies. Some sell low-dose at up to 300,000–350,000 Korean won and high-dose at up to 600,000 Korean won.

In China, high-dose Wegovy costs 988 yuan (approximately 200,000 Korean won), and low-dose can be purchased for as low as 230 yuan (approximately 49,000 Korean won) with discounts on e-commerce platforms. Mounjaro’s low-dose costs around 550 yuan (approximately 115,000 Korean won), while the high-dose is about 1,599 yuan (approximately 336,000 Korean won).

This price drop occurred after Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly reduced their Chinese market prices by 48% to 80% compared to previous levels at the end of last year. Analysts attribute this to the impending expiration of Wegovy’s key ingredient, semaglutide, patent in China on the 20th of next month. With multiple Chinese pharmaceutical companies preparing to launch generic versions, the two manufacturers proactively lowered prices as a preemptive measure.

In South Korea, Wegovy’s patent will expire in 2028. With two years remaining and high demand causing shortages despite high prices, there is little incentive for manufacturers to reduce costs domestically.

In Japan, obesity treatments are covered by health insurance. Patients with obesity pay only 30% of the cost, allowing them to purchase high-dose Wegovy and Mounjaro for around 100,000 Korean won, while low-dose versions cost between 17,000 and 35,000 Korean won. However, insurance does not apply to non-obese individuals purchasing these medications.

In the U.S., Wegovy’s patent expires in 2031, and prices have recently dropped significantly. Novo Nordisk lowered Wegovy’s price from $1,350 for low-dose to $250 at the end of last year under a three-year tariff exemption agreement, while Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries pay as little as $50 out-of-pocket.

South Korea included Wegovy and Mounjaro in its non-insurance reporting system this year, requiring medical institutions to report prescription volumes and sales figures to the government. This aims to monitor excessive prescriptions and price discrepancies, but immediate price reductions are unlikely. While South Koreans can purchase obesity treatments abroad with local prescriptions, importing them is prohibited as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has designated them as items of concern.