ENTERTAINMENT
Korean Singer Psy Under Investigation for Alleged Proxy Prescription of Psychotropic Drugs
The KMA stated on the 28th, "Psychotropic drugs have high dependency and addiction potential, and must be prescribed and dispensed directly to the patient through face-to-face consultations. Violating this practice poses a significant threat to public health and undermines societal trust in the medical field."
Furthermore, the KMA announced, "We plan to thoroughly investigate the facts through an expert evaluation panel and urge the authorities to conduct a rigorous investigation and enforce the law strictly. To prevent the recurrence of illegal prescriptions and proxy collections, we will enhance our self-regulation capabilities and work with the government and National Assembly to improve the system."
They also added, "As telemedicine expands, more cautious institutional discussions are needed to ensure the safe use of prescription drugs, including psychotropic medications."
According to the police, the Seoul Seodaemun Police Station has launched an investigation after receiving a report that Psy and a university hospital professor, identified as Professor A, violated medical laws. It has been confirmed that Psy's manager collected sleeping pills on his behalf. Psy's representatives have admitted to 'proxy collection' but maintain there was no 'proxy prescription.'
However, this stance has raised eyebrows. A current physician, identified as B, expressed on social media, "What does it mean to say it's not a 'proxy prescription' but a 'proxy collection'? When a third party collects a prescription on behalf of the patient, it is considered a 'proxy prescription.'"
The physician continued, "Yesterday, the agency claimed that they had been receiving prescriptions remotely for years, but then quickly changed their statement. Doctors know why the story changed. Drugs like 'Xanax' and 'Stilnox,' which are psychotropic and narcotic substances, cannot be legally prescribed or dispensed remotely. Realizing their mistake, they changed their wording to 'proxy collection,' inadvertently admitting to years of illegal activity."
The physician concluded, "Unfortunately, violations involving psychotropic drugs or narcotics are strictly punished, so it will be difficult for Psy or the prescribing doctor to avoid penalties."
Psy's agency, P Nation, acknowledged, "It was clearly wrong for the manager to collect prescription sleeping pills on behalf of Psy," but emphasized, "Psy has been diagnosed with chronic sleep disorders and has been taking medication under medical guidance, with no illegal proxy prescriptions involved."
Meanwhile, the police have conducted a search and seizure at the hospital, suspecting that Psy has been receiving prescriptions for Xanax and Stilnox without direct consultations since 2022, with his manager collecting the medications.
Under current law, psychotropic drugs must be prescribed following a face-to-face consultation with a doctor, and the patient must collect them personally. Exceptions are made only for family members or caregivers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, phone prescriptions and proxy collections were temporarily allowed, but since November 2021, only face-to-face prescriptions are permitted.
