Singapore GLP-1 Use Jumps to 6,400 Patients in 2025 as Doctors Warn on Cosmetic Demand
Updated
Updated · CNA · Jun 5
Singapore GLP-1 Use Jumps to 6,400 Patients in 2025 as Doctors Warn on Cosmetic Demand
3 articles · Updated · CNA · Jun 5
Summary
About 6,400 patients in Singapore used semaglutide injections such as Ozempic and Wegovy in 2025, up from roughly 1,500 in 2023, the Health Ministry said.
Doctors said demand has surged with social-media-driven interest in GLP-1 drugs as weight-loss shortcuts, with some clinics fielding 50 to 70 inquiries a day though only a fraction qualify.
Specialists said the drugs can be life-changing for patients with obesity, diabetes, heart disease or PCOS, but they require medical screening, monitoring and are often needed long term.
Clinicians are increasingly seeing healthy or near-healthy people seek prescriptions for aesthetic reasons, raising concerns over side effects, weight regain after stopping and purchases through unregulated sellers.
Psychologists said the boom reflects deeper body-image pressures amplified by TikTok and Instagram, while doctors and regulators argue education and safe access must keep pace with rising demand.
With new oral GLP-1 pills now available, will 'effortless' weight loss become a luxury reserved only for the wealthy?
As 'metabolic whiplash' threatens users who stop, are millions becoming lifelong subscribers to a costly weight-loss trap?
Are we trading the obesity crisis for a new epidemic of body dissatisfaction and joy-dulling side effects like anhedonia?
GLP-1 Use in Singapore Surges Since 2024: Balancing Medical Promise, Social Pressures, and Policy Challenges
Overview
Since 2024, Singapore has seen a rapid rise in the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, driven by people seeking weight loss solutions, often for short-term use. Early adopters have shared their experiences, boosting public awareness and confidence in these drugs. This trend follows the spread of GLP-1 medications from the US to the Asia-Pacific region, with companies in places like South Korea quickly entering the market. Social media plays a big role, shaping body image ideals and encouraging even non-obese individuals to seek these prescriptions, highlighting a complex mix of medical innovation and societal pressure.