The police investigating the 'rebate' allegations against Koryo Pharmaceutical have reportedly booked more than 20 people, including pharmaceutical company employees and doctors. The police also hinted at the possibility of summoning Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), again in connection with the collective action of medical residents.
On the 7th, Jo Ji-ho, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a press briefing, "Currently, eight pharmaceutical company officials and 14 doctors have been booked and investigated as suspects," adding, "The number may increase depending on the investigation."
The Criminal Mobile Unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has been continuing the related investigation, including raiding the headquarters of Koryo Pharmaceutical located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 29th of last month. The police believe that Koryo Pharmaceutical executives and employees provided illegal rebates to doctors at general hospitals in exchange for using their drugs, violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and are identifying the specific scale and details.
This case was initially reported to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and investigated by the Suseo Police Station in Seoul before recently being transferred to the Metropolitan Investigation Division.
Im Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Medical Association, is holding a press conference at the Korean Medical Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
Additionally, the police hinted at the possibility of summoning Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), again in connection with the collective action of medical residents. Chief Jo said, "We are analyzing the mobile phone secured through an additional search of President Lim," adding, "I think we need to summon him at least one more time." The police have been conducting witness investigations and analyzing related materials regarding allegations that current and former KMA executives instigated the collective action of medical residents.
Regarding the investigation into evidence concealment related to 'Medistaff,' a community for doctors and medical students, Chief Jo explained, "We summoned the representative for questioning and will make a final judgment based on the results." Separately, the police have identified 23 people who posted inappropriate content on Medistaff and reportedly completed investigations on a significant number of them.
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