[2024 National Audit] "Coupang Neglects Illegal Pharmaceutical Sales"... MFDS, "Considering Legal Action"

Assemblywoman Lee Sujin Criticizes, "Negligence by Supervisory Agencies Is Also a Crime"

It has been pointed out that the online distribution platform Coupang is neglecting the illegal sale of pharmaceuticals, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which should oversee this, should consider filing a complaint.

On the 10th, Lee Su-jin, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out to Joo Sung-won, Executive Director of Coupang, who attended as a witness at the Health and Welfare Committee's national audit, that "illegal transactions of pharmaceuticals through online platforms such as Coupang are problematic but have not been resolved."

Lee said, "Transactions of pharmaceuticals banned from online sales and exaggerated advertisements that mislead consumers into thinking they are pharmaceuticals are being neglected on Coupang," citing the example that the type 2 diabetes drug 'Metformin' is being sold as a diet supplement.

Lee stated, "Metformin is a prescription-only drug in Korea that cannot be purchased without a doctor's prescription," and criticized, "However, posts selling (Metformin) on Coupang have remained without any sanctions for over a month."

Lee urged the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to take responsibility for this situation and consider filing complaints regarding illegal pharmaceutical transactions on online platforms. He also argued, "The reason platform companies like Coupang are abetting illegal sales is due to the lax management by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety," and insisted, "Coupang's actions should be thoroughly investigated and reviewed so that they can be reported to investigative agencies."

In response, Oh Yu-kyung, head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, promised, "We will do so." Executive Director Joo also said, "I believe consumer safety is the most important. We will conduct a thorough investigation and take corrective measures."