South Korea to Ban Self-Prescription of Narcotics by Medical Professionals | Be Korea-savvy

South Korea to Ban Self-Prescription of Narcotics by Medical Professionals


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SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) —  Starting February 7, 2025, South Korea will prohibit medical professionals, including doctors and dentists, from prescribing narcotics such as propofol for their personal use. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced the implementation of this “Self-Prescription Ban on Medical Narcotics” on January 22.

The new regulation, aimed at curbing abuse and dependency, comes after extensive consultation with medical associations, hospitals, and related organizations.

The MFDS initially identified propofol, a sedative with high misuse potential, as the primary target of the ban. The policy was introduced through an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act’s enforcement regulations, which was publicly proposed in October 2024.

Under the new rules, medical professionals caught self-prescribing narcotics like propofol could face penalties of up to five years in prison or fines of up to 50 million won. The MFDS has emphasized the importance of compliance to avoid legal repercussions.

In preparation for the policy rollout, the agency has been actively informing the medical community to minimize confusion and ensure smooth implementation.

Personalized advisory letters, text messages, and phone calls have been sent to medical institutions and practitioners with a history of self-prescribing propofol. Informational posters and other materials have also been distributed to raise awareness.

Additionally, the MFDS is working with prescription software developers and medical institutions to modify systems, ensuring that narcotics cannot be prescribed to the prescriber. A discussion forum involving software developers and healthcare providers was held on January 22 to expedite these changes.

The ministry plans to expand outreach efforts through advertising on medical platforms, banners in academic conferences, and other media channels to ensure widespread awareness of the regulation.

By enforcing this ban, the MFDS aims to promote the safe prescription of medical narcotics and prevent misuse. It expects the policy to encourage doctors to seek objective diagnoses and treatments from other professionals rather than relying on self-prescription.

Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)

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