Clinics probed for propofol misuse; patient received drug 147 times

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has uncovered cases of suspected propofol misuse, involving both individuals who repeatedly received the anesthetic and medical institutions that administered it excessively. The ministry's investigation targeted clinics in Seoul's Gangnam and Seocho districts, focusing on those primarily offering dermatological and cosmetic procedures.

During a joint inspection with local governments in March, the MFDS examined 27 clinics suspected of propofol overuse. The investigation led to 11 medical institutions being referred for criminal investigation due to suspected violations. Additionally, 13 individuals identified as repeat users, receiving the drug more than twice a month, were also referred for investigation.

One identified repeat patient, referred to as 'A,' visited 43 different medical facilities between February 2023 and March 2024, receiving propofol a total of 147 times. Another patient, 'B,' received propofol 84 times across 18 institutions from May 2023 to March 2024.

In one particularly concerning case, a doctor, 'C,' administered approximately 2,000 ml of propofol over 10 instances to patient 'B' within a 10-month period, despite lacking sufficient grounds for prescribing a controlled substance for simple dermatological procedures. The average dosage per administration in this case exceeded the typical induction dose for general anesthesia in adults. The MFDS flagged this as suspected misuse due to the repeated administration for minor procedures.

Oh Yu-kyung, the MFDS Commissioner, emphasized the risks associated with propofol and other medical narcotics. "Misuse of medical narcotics such as propofol can lead to severe physical and mental dependency, and in severe cases, addiction, causing significant harm to individuals and society," she stated, urging extreme caution.

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Misuse of medical narcotics such as propofol can lead to severe physical and mental dependency, and in severe cases, addiction, causing significant harm to individuals and society.