Key Facts
• September-October 2024: Dr. Tatsu Seo used a duplicate key to enter a pharmacy.
• Stole diabetes medications like “Rybelsus 7mg,” “Ozempic,” and “Mounjaro.”
• November 2024: Pharmacy owner reported thefts worth hundreds of thousands of yen.
• June 30, 2025: Dr. Seo was arrested for trespassing and theft.
• July 17, 2025: Re-arrested by Hyogo Prefectural Police for further investigation.
• Medications are popular for weight loss among hostesses in Ginza and Kitashinchi.
• Online prices for Rybelsus 7mg: ¥13,000–¥20,000 for a 30-day supply.
• Dr. Seo claimed theft was for personal use and a friend’s weight loss treatment.
• Investigators found no evidence of resale but questioned the whereabouts of stolen drugs.
• Dr. Seo, from a prominent medical family, graduated from Kyoto University Medical School.
• Allegations of kleptomania date back to his medical school years.
Summary
Dr. Tatsu Seo, a well-known ENT specialist and frequent TV guest, was arrested for stealing weight loss drugs from a pharmacy near his clinic in Amagasaki, Japan. Using a duplicate key, he accessed the pharmacy after hours in late 2024, stealing diabetes medications valued at hundreds of thousands of yen. These drugs, including Rybelsus, are popular for weight loss but not covered by insurance for such purposes. Despite claiming the theft was for personal and a friend’s use, investigators remain skeptical about the large quantity stolen. Dr. Seo, from a prestigious medical family, has faced past allegations of kleptomania. His actions have shocked the medical community and raised questions about his motives and the fate of the stolen drugs.
