A pharmacist holds up a dose of Wegovy, a weight-loss medication, at a pharmacy in Seoul, Oct. 17. Yonhap

Korea's health ministry said Friday it will ban remote prescribing of weight loss medications, including Wegovy, released in the country in October, to prevent potential abuse.

The decision to ban remote prescribing of weight loss medications will take effect Monday, with a two-week grace period, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The move comes amid growing concerns over the abuse and illegal sales of such medications, particularly due to the growing popularity of Wegovy, which was developed by Denmark-based Novo Nordisk.

The government also plans to establish guidelines for telemedicine consultations regarding such medications within the first half of 2025, the health ministry added.

South Korea has been temporarily allowing telemedicine consultations amid the ongoing walkout by trainee doctors at general hospitals, which began in February. (Yonhap)