<>
Tokyo Pharmacy Arrests Over Illegal Mounjaro Sales
Tokyo police arrested a Chinese woman and a Japanese man on suspicion of selling prescription-only drugs, including the diabetes medication Mounjaro, as over-the-counter medicine without required medical examinations or prescriptions, asahi.com reported. Wang Pei, 40, manager of First Beauty Pharmacy, and Satoshi Hatori, 54, president of operating company Medix Japan, face allegations of violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law.
Operations in the Takadanobaba District
The Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrests on Oct. 22, stating the pharmacy operated in the capital’s Takadanobaba district since October 2024. Investigators believe the business generated more than 65 million yen, equivalent to about $410,000, by distributing roughly 70 types of prescription drugs to customers who lacked valid medical authorization. Many buyers were Chinese nationals, including tourists visiting Japan, who learned about the unregulated sales through advertisements on Chinese social media and word of mouth.
Police investigate off-label weight loss drug sales
Authorities focused their investigation on transactions involving four specific types of drugs sold to four customers between January and June. One buyer, a Japanese woman, told investigators she purchased Mounjaro simply to lose weight after a friend mentioned she could obtain it without visiting a doctor. The off-label use of diabetes medications for weight loss has developed into a broader social concern in Japan. A senior investigator noted the police suspect many of the acquired medicines were diverted overseas, raising the risk that treatments might not reach patients in Japan who genuinely need them.
What charges do the arrested individuals face?
What specific charges do the arrested individuals face?
Wang Pei and Satoshi Hatori are accused of violating Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law by selling prescription medications without a prescription.
How much revenue did the pharmacy generate?
Investigators believe the pharmacy made more than 65 million yen, or $410,000, from illegal drug sales since it opened in October 2024 and the police intervention.
Who were the primary customers purchasing the drugs?
Many of the customers were Chinese nationals, including visitors traveling in Japan, who learned about the pharmacy through social media advertisements and word-of-mouth recommendations.
>
Related reading