Shocking Mounjaro Prices: 4 Times Cheaper in Japan, Koreans Caught Illegally Importing Drugs

Cases of individuals being caught illegally importing obesity treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro from overseas are surging. Although the government has stepped up enforcement due to concerns over misuse and safety issues, attempts to illegally import these drugs via international mail or traveler's luggage appear to be exploding, driven by the extreme price gap with local markets and the weak yen phenomenon.
Price difference of up to 4 times... "Expeditions" seeking "Sushi-za" (low prices)
The fundamental cause of this rampant illegal importation is cited as the extreme price difference compared to local markets. For a 4-week supply of Mounjaro 2.5mg, the price is set at 290,000 KRW even at the lowest-priced clinics in Korea, whereas in Japan, it is around 74,000 KRW—approximately four times cheaper. Even for the high-dose 10mg version, the price in Korea is 540,000 KRW, while in Japan, it is only 294,000 KRW.
This price discrepancy is interpreted as stemming from differences in drug pricing systems and market environments. In Japan, Mounjaro is incorporated into the health insurance pricing system as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and is subject to government drug price management; furthermore, recent price competition among online medical clinics has contributed to the low prices. In contrast, in Korea, obesity treatments are classified as non-reimbursable items under health insurance, allowing individual medical institutions to set prices freely.
Additionally, the recent drop in the KRW/JPY exchange rate to the 800-won range, combined with the demand to secure high-dose products that are difficult to obtain domestically, seems to be encouraging these "expeditionary" purchases.