Medical Association and Pharmaceutical Society Accuse Health Supplement Companies of Impersonating Doctors and Pharmacists

The Korean Medical Association and the Korean Pharmaceutical Association jointly reported to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 30th that they have filed a complaint against diet health functional food companies that impersonated doctors and pharmacists in advertisements, for violations of the Medical Service Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Foods, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.

The Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Association stated, "Through media reports, we became aware of illegal advertisements and impersonation of doctors and pharmacists by the accused," adding, "It was confirmed that the advertising models appearing in the advertisements were actors, not doctors or pharmacists. To protect public health and establish order in healthcare, we have jointly filed this complaint."

In the complaint submitted to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Association stated, “The company in question recruited individuals who were not doctors or pharmacists for the roles in YouTube videos, displaying subtitles such as ‘Family Medicine Professor’ and ‘Pharmacist at Seoul S Pharmacy’ respectively, while advertising health functional foods. This is a clear act of impersonating doctors and pharmacists.”

They also explained, “They deceived consumers by making false and exaggerated advertisements claiming that the health functional foods in question have efficacy or effects in preventing or treating diseases or enhancing the efficacy of pharmaceuticals.”

Lee Jeong-geun, the full-time vice president of the Medical Association who submitted the complaint on the day, stated, “Considering that the YouTube videos in question continue to be distributed through other YouTube channels and other media, there is a significant possibility that the damage caused by the illegal acts of the accused will further expand.”

Furthermore, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association added, “This incident greatly damages the social trust in healthcare workers who are still quietly doing their best in the field to protect and promote public health, and furthermore shakes the foundation of healthcare order. Since there is a great need to establish healthcare order, we ask for a thorough investigation and strict punishment.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.