Safety alert issued for injectable drugs as incidents with obesity treatments surge

South Korea's consumer safety authorities have issued a warning about injectable medications after reports of injuries and side effects increased sharply, especially those related to weight loss drugs.

From January 2023 to April 2026, the Korea Consumer Agency received 1,147 reports involving injectable medicines. Flu vaccines accounted for the largest number of reports, while obesity medications ranked second. Reports nearly doubled in 2025 and have continued to rise this year.

The biggest increase involved obesity drugs. Reports rose from only 6 cases in 2024 to 116 cases in 2025, and another 85 cases were reported by April 2026. Common side effects included abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, nausea, and tinnitus.

People aged 19 to 49 reported the highest number of problems with obesity drugs. Most incidents happened at home because these medications are usually self-injected, unlike vaccines, which are given by healthcare professionals in clinics or hospitals.

The Korea Consumer Agency advised consumers to carefully follow instructions for storing, using, and injecting these medicines. It also reminded users to follow the correct dosage and treatment period to reduce the risk of side effects.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source : https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/business/safety-alert-issued-for-injectable-drugs-as-incidents-with-obesity-treatments-surge/12752391

Comprehension

Why did South Korea issue a consumer safety alert?
Which injectable medication had the most reported cases?
How much did reports involving obesity drugs increase in 2025?
What were the most common side effects of obesity drugs?
Why do most obesity drug-related incidents happen at home?

Discussion

Why do you think weight loss drugs have become more popular?
Would you feel comfortable giving yourself an injection? Why or why not?
What should people know before using weight loss medication?
Do you think weight loss drugs are better than diet and exercise? Why?
Why is it important to follow the correct dosage of medicine?
Should obesity drugs require closer medical supervision? Why or why not?
What are some healthy ways to lose weight without medication?
Have you ever experienced side effects from medicine? What happened?

Vocabulary

injectable - a medicine that is given by injection
obesity - the condition of being extremely overweight
consumer - a person who buys or uses goods or services
surveillance - the process of collecting and monitoring information
adverse effect - an unwanted or harmful reaction to medicine
dosage - the amount of medicine a person should take
self-administer - to give yourself medicine without another person's help
storage - the way something is kept or stored safely