South Korea to launch task force against propofol, ketamine misuse

South Korea is set to establish a special task force next month to combat the misuse of medical anesthetics, including propofol and ketamine. The "Medical Narcotic Special Surveillance Team" will be empowered to investigate healthcare professionals suspected of illegal drug use and will implement stricter sanctions for significant violations.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced its 2024 second-half plan for narcotic safety management, which includes the launch of the special team on July 1st. Composed of ministry officials, local government narcotic supervisors, and medical supervisors, the team will conduct intensive checks through the end of the year on sedatives like propofol, as well as narcotic analgesics such as pethidine and ketamine, which have been subject to recent concerns over misuse. Suspected illegal activities will be investigated by the ministry's special judicial police.

In the first half of this year, the ministry inspected 307 medical institutions identified through its narcotic integrated management system for suspected misuse or illegal handling of narcotics. Investigations led to referrals for prosecution in 75 cases and administrative action requests in 39 cases. The new task force aims to make on-site inspections a regular occurrence throughout the year. A reporting channel will also be established on the ministry's website to receive tips from medical facility personnel.

Significantly, the surveillance team will also scrutinize the illegal self-administration of narcotics by doctors and pharmacists who have easy access to these substances. Legal grounds are being established to allow narcotic drug testing for healthcare providers suspected of illegal use or handling. This measure follows a case last February where a doctor was arrested and sent for prosecution for self-administering propofol and other narcotics 16 times at their clinic and home.

Penalties for violations are also being strengthened. The ministry plans to introduce punitive fines exceeding the profits gained from illicit use or leakage, and to publicly disclose the names of individuals involved in serious violations. Hospital directors and other authorized handlers will be held accountable for stolen or illegally leaked medical narcotics, even if the act was committed by employees. The ministry has also proposed revising enforcement rules to extend the business suspension period from one month to three months for such violations. Furthermore, the ministry will enhance surveillance of "medical shopping," where patients receive excessive or duplicate prescriptions, by recommending doctors check patients' past prescription histories, adding propofol to the list of drugs requiring this check starting in August.

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We will create a robust safety net through institutional improvements and intensive crackdowns for effective control of illegal activities.