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Inspections uncover 31 violations
SEOUL — Seoul officials found 31 violations of South Korea’s narcotics control law at 26 of 125 medical facilities handling propofol, the city government said on the 27th.
The inspections were conducted from July 20 through Sept. 4 across Seoul’s 25 districts. About 50 narcotics inspectors worked in two-person teams to conduct on-site checks. The facilities included 78 that had been cited during joint city and district inspections in 2024 and 2025.
Failures to properly report the handling of controlled substances accounted for 22 cases, the largest category. Inspectors also identified two cases each involving expired controlled drugs, improper disposal of damaged or otherwise compromised narcotics, and failures to complete storage-facility inspection records.
Five facilities had at least two violations, including one that breached three different types of management rules.
Repeat violations draw penalties
Seventeen of the 78 previously cited facilities, or about 22%, were found in violation again. Overall, inspectors cited roughly one in five of the medical facilities reviewed.
Seoul issued warnings to 12 facilities and ordered 14 to suspend operations involving controlled substances. Three face administrative fines, while the city plans to file complaints against five facilities accused of serious violations.
Propofol monitoring expands
Propofol is a sedative that acts on the central nervous system and is commonly used for anesthesia and sedation during medical procedures. South Korean authorities regulate it as a psychotropic drug because of concerns about misuse and overuse.
Since Aug. 27, propofol has been covered by a system that allows medical facilities to review patients’ controlled-drug histories. Providers are now advised to check a patient’s propofol use over the previous year before prescribing it.
Cho Young-chang, head of Seoul’s public health bureau, said stronger oversight was needed as seeking propofol from multiple providers and misuse had emerged as serious social problems. He said the city would strengthen inspections and follow-up enforcement to support a safe medical environment.
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