On the morning of November 20, at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, a briefing was held regarding the crackdown on specialized medical facilities involved in illegal propofol administration. Seized items, including pharmaceuticals and medical waste, were displayed during the briefing. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of doctors arrested for drug-related offenses in South Korea is on track to hit a record high this year, with nearly 300 cases reported through October alone.
This trend underscores growing concerns about drug abuse and misuse within the medical profession.
Data submitted to Representative Yang Boo-nam of the Democratic Party by the National Police Agency reveals that 294 doctors were apprehended for drug-related crimes between January and October 2023.
If this trend continues, the annual figure is likely to surpass last year’s total of 323 arrests, the highest since records began.
Drug-related offenses in this context include the illegal prescription, possession, administration, manufacture, or distribution of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and cannabis. The number of medical professionals arrested for such crimes has been steadily increasing, with 186 cases reported in both 2020 and 2022, and 212 in 2021.
Experts attribute the rise to the medical field’s inherent access to controlled substances like propofol, a powerful sedative often misused for non-medical purposes.
“Doctors, dentists, and veterinarians have legal access to these drugs, creating an environment where misuse can occur more readily compared to other professions,” explained Yoon Heung-hee, a professor of addiction rehabilitation at Namseoul University.
The issue is compounded by broader societal trends, including a rise in drug-related crimes among younger demographics, which mirrors the age group of many medical professionals.
Recent cases highlight the severity of the problem. On November 18, Seoul police arrested a doctor in his 30s for using propofol at his clinic with a female acquaintance.
Earlier this year, a prominent hospital director in Gangnam was found to have habitually administered propofol to numerous patients. His wife later died from an overdose of the same drug.
Beds used by propofol addicts for administration inside a skincare clinic (Photo courtesy of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office).
The increase in arrests is also linked to stricter enforcement and enhanced monitoring systems, such as the National Integrated Drug Management System (NIMS), which tracks the use and distribution of controlled substances.
“Heightened surveillance has led to more illegal and improper prescriptions being detected,” said Park Jin-sil, a lawyer specializing in drug-related cases.
However, experts caution that greater awareness and education are essential to addressing the root causes of the issue. “Many doctors view these substances as mere medications and may underestimate their addictive potential,” Park added.
“There needs to be a shift in how controlled substances are prescribed and a stronger emphasis on responsible use through targeted education.”
As authorities ramp up monitoring and enforcement, the challenge remains to ensure that the medical community treats controlled substances with the caution they demand, safeguarding both public health and professional integrity.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
