Global regulatory response to GLP-1 medication use

Health authorities and professional organizations in Brazil and South Korea are implementing new guidelines and training to manage the increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for obesity treatment.

In São Paulo, health entities are focusing on professional guidance and logistics. Sincofarma-SP is providing training on the reverse logistics of weight-loss pens to address the safe disposal of needles and sharps. Simultaneously, the Regional Pharmacy Council of the State of São Paulo (CRF-SP) has released technical manuals to assist pharmacists with patient care, specifically regarding dietary supplementation and the technical aspects of synthetic semaglutide.

In South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has issued updated safety guidelines that expand coverage to include adolescents and pregnant women. For adolescents, prescriptions are restricted to specific BMI and weight thresholds with close monitoring for side effects. For reproductive health, the guidelines mandate immediate discontinuation for those pregnant or breastfeeding, recommending a contraceptive period of one to two months after stopping the medication. The Ministry also warned against the risks of unauthorized private distribution and overseas direct purchases.