Dermatologists bought and used 120,000 doses of narcotics... issued 4,300 fake prescriptions using patient information

Two dermatologists in Seoul's Gangnam district have been arrested and sent to prosecutors on charges related to violating drug control laws, medical laws, and personal information protection laws. The 40-something female clinic director, identified as 'A,' and the 40-something male doctor, identified as 'B,' are accused of purchasing and using over 120,000 doses of psychotropic drugs within a six-month period by issuing fraudulent prescriptions.

Authorities allege that the doctors exploited the personal information of approximately 3,400 foreign patients who had visited their clinic. Using this data, they created 4,331 false prescriptions to acquire drugs like Zolpidem from large pharmacies in Seoul. The investigation was initiated when a foreign patient alerted the police after discovering that psychotropic drugs had been prescribed under their name without their knowledge.

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Purchasing or using psychotropic drugs under another person's name is a serious criminal act and requires caution.

Police investigations revealed that the doctors had become severely addicted to the drugs, requiring emergency room visits due to their consumption. It is reported that nearly all of the 120,000-plus doses were intended for their personal use. The situation escalated to the point where they resorted to stealing propofol from the clinic's safe for injection when they could no longer tolerate the side effects of their usual medications.

Pharmacies involved in supplying the drugs are also under scrutiny. Employees who connected the doctors with pharmacists and pharmacists who sold large quantities of medication based on poorly documented prescriptions, often without verifying their authenticity, have also been sent to prosecutors. In some instances, drugs were sold at inflated prices without prescriptions. Police are urging the public to report any instances of identity theft for drug purchases or use.

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If you find that psychotropic drugs have been prescribed in your name, please report it to the police immediately.