Online platform, "up to 5.7% discount" for Mounjaro

Announced a 'lowest-price' guarantee, offering direct transactions, credit card promotions, and volume discounts

Pharmacies' attention turned to the mechanism of increased supply price by units

Zuellig Pharma Korea was initially the exclusive distributor for 'Wegovy'→price competition began following  Chong Kun Dang's entry

Product photo of Mounjaro

As novel anti-obesity therapeutics Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) dominate the South Korean market, online pharmacy platforms have joined the lowest-price competition.

​While pharmaceutical manufacturers' list prices by dosage remain fixed, competition among online platforms to supply products at lower purchase costs through direct transactions, credit card promotions, and volume discounts has begun. As wholesale acquisition prices decrease, attention is turning to how this will affect the overall market landscape.  

​According to local pharmacy communities, BaroPharm recently announced a lowest price for Mounjaro. When paying with affiliated credit cards, pharmacies can purchase Mounjaro at a discount ranging from 5.1% up to 5.7%, depending on levels established by BaroPharm.

​Assuming the maximum discount is applied, purchasing costs are reduced by about KRW 15,850 (2.5mg dose) and up to KRW 29,718 (7.5mg, 10mg) doses. Although currently out of stock, discount amounts will be even greater for the recently launched and distributed high-dose 12.5mg and 15mg formulations.

​A BaroPharm representative stated, "We are offering a joint promotion with Woori Card for the two months of August and September. It's not an exclusive promotion for Mounjaro. We positioned Mounjaro, which is drawing significant interest from pharmacies, as the primary selling point while running a credit card promotion."  

​DoctorNow is offering tiered volume discounts for bulk purchases. In addition to scaling discounts based on order quantities (2, 5, or 11 units), the platform offers additional discounts for direct bank transfer payments.  

​DoctorNow is offering volume-tiered discounts alongside additional discount for direct bank transfer payments.  

​Furthermore, pharmacy ordering channels are shifting as drugmakers' proprietary online ordering portals offer quarterly reward-point accumulation programs.

​Lowest-price competition also emerged around Wegovy. While Zuellig Pharma Korea was initially the exclusive distributor at launch, Chong Kun Dang's entry into distribution enabled pharmacies to procure the drug via direct transactions on PlatPharm at lower rates, drawing significant industry attention.  

​A local pharmacist commented, "As the market for injectable weight-loss drugs expands, not only pharmacies but also consumers have reached a point where they know retail and acquisition price points inside and out," and added, "Compared to the early launch phase, we can clearly feel that online platform discounts and promotional offerings have become much more extensive."  

​The pharmacist added, "Recently, the prescription market for Mounjaro is also showing a trend of transitioning from low doses to high doses," and added, "Injectables, rather than oral anti-obesity agents, are restructuring the entire market."

​According to the pharmaceutical industry, the market for Mounjaro and Wegovy continues to expand steadily. Data from pharmaceutical market research firm IQVIA indicates that in the first quarter of this year, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro recorded sales of KRW 323.2 billion in the South Korean anti-obesity market. In comparison, Wegovy reached KRW 104.0 billion, surpassing KRW 100 billion for four consecutive quarters.  

​Another pharmacist stated, "It is also true that demand for Mounjaro and Wegovy is heavily skewed toward pharmacies affiliated with Onnuri traditional market gift certificate programs," and explained, "While it's welcome for pharmacies to purchase pharmaceuticals at lower acquisition prices through market competition, there are concerns that this might simply be reflected in retail pricing, resulting in a margin war."