Mounjaro arrives at pharmacies..₩310,000–350,000

Distribution to pharmacies begins on the 20th... inquiries pour in

On telemedicine, prices start at KRW 290,000 for 2.5 mg at Jongno Pharmacy

Once-weekly subcutaneous injection... needs to be stored at 2–8°C refrigeration temperature

Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which had been attracting considerable attention even before its arrival in Korea, has now been made available to pharmacies.

 

With prescriptions also beginning on the 20th, pharmacies are bustling with activity.

 

According to local pharmacies, two dosage forms, 2.5mg and 5mg, have begun arriving at pharmacies through wholesalers.

 

Mounjaro Prefilled Pen 2.5mg, 5mg stocked at pharmacies

A local pharmacist stated, “The 2.5mg and 5mg doses arrived this morning.

 

Although no prescriptions have been made yet, we are receiving calls asking if the product has arrived.

 

It seems that consumer interest is quite high.” The two main concerns for pharmacies are pricing and medication guidance.

 

Mounjaro is priced in the ₩300,000 range, with the price lowest in Jongno at ₩290,000

◆Prices vary between pharmacies, with the lowest price at KRW 290,000 = Since Mounjaro is a non-reimbursed drug, the price varies even between pharmacies.

 

For this reason, pharmacies are struggling to set the initial price.

 

According to telemedicine platforms, prices for 2.5mg in-hospital prescriptions at clinics range from KRW 320,000 to KRW 350,000 Pharmacies are pricing the medication between KRW 310,000 to KRW 350,000.

 

While the number of pharmacies stocking Mounjaro is still limited, prices seem to be forming in the early to mid three hundred thousand won range.

 

However, in Jongno, the price is set at KRW 290,000, which is the lowest price.

 

◆Medication guidance for Mounjaro?= Mounjaro comes in a package containing four single-use pre-filled pens.

 

The outer case states, “Mounjaro is used once a week.

 

Read the instructions carefully before using the medication and keep the instructions with the medication.” Mounjaro was approved as ▲an adjunct to diet and exercise therapy for improving blood glucose control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes; ▲an adjunct to low-calorie diet and exercise therapy for chronic weight management in adult patients; and ▲as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet and exercise therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in obese adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher.

 

When administered for weight management ▲Obese patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher ▲Overweight patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m² or higher but less than 30 kg/m² and one or more weight-related comorbidities such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease, may use the treatment.

 

The recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg subcutaneous injection once weekly, increased to 5 mg subcutaneous injection once weekly after 4 weeks, and maintained at that dose.

 

The maximum dose is 15 mg subcutaneous injection once weekly.

 

If a dose is missed, administer the missed dose as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) of the missed dose.

 

If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and administer the next dose on the scheduled day.

 

Mounjaro can be administered at any time of the day, regardless of meals, and should be administered as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

 

It is recommended to rotate (alternate) the injection site with each dose.

 

The recommended that the injections are refrigerated at 2–8°C.

 

If necessary, each single-use pen can be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30°C for up to 21 days without refrigeration.

 

Do not freeze.

 

If frozen, the medication should not be used and should be stored in its original container to protect from light.

 

The most commonly reported adverse reactions include gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea (very common), diarrhea (very common), and vomiting (common).

 

Generally, the severity of these reactions was mild or moderate, and occurred more frequently during dose escalation, and decreased over time.

 

Meanwhile, Lilly Korea announced that it plans to first release 2.5 mg and 5 mg doses in Korea, but will also supply higher doses of 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg in accordance with patient demand.

 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety sent a notice to medical organizations and other relevant parties to prevent misuse of the drug following the release of Mounjaro.

 

The MFDS emphasized, “Please prescribe and dispense the drug appropriately in accordance with the approved efficacy, dosage, and precautions for use.

 

To prevent side effects and misuse, please provide accurate information about the drug (efficacy, dosage, and precautions for use) to the patients and instruct them on how to take the drug.”