The Korean Medical Association (KMA), a group of about 140,000 physicians, has vowed to push the issue of oriental medicine practitioners entering the skin care and cosmetic treatment market as a formal agenda item at a consultative body with the government, aiming to prompt concrete regulatory action.
KMA President Kim Taek-woo made the remarks on Thursday during a press conference organized by the association’s special committee to work out measures on traditional Korean medicine to denounce what it described as illegal medical practices involving PDRN and PN injections by oriental medicine practitioners.
“We will respond firmly to illegal and unlicensed medical practices by oriental medicine practitioners,” Kim said.
The Korean Medical Association said it will raise the issue of Korean medicine practitioners entering the skin care and cosmetic treatment market at its consultative body with the government. (KBR photo)
The press conference, jointly held with the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Korean Dermatological Association, the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons, and the Association of Korean Dermatologists, called for a halt to the use of prescription drugs and medical devices by Korean medicine practitioners and stronger government punishment.
Kim argued that illegal cosmetic and dermatological procedures performed by traditional Korean medicine doctors have been rapidly increasing.
“The reasons behind these practices are not only the limitations of the traditional Korean medicine field but also strong economic incentives,” he said. “They know these acts are wrong, but because there are no appropriate penalties or sanctions, they continue.”
He added that the KMA plans to actively raise public and government awareness of the issue and push for policy changes at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The matter will also be addressed within the ongoing government-medical consultative body.
Previously, the KMA and the ministry held the third round of the consultative meeting on April 30, discussing issues, including amendments to the Medical Technicians Act, regulations on medical institution signboards, and revisions to the Medical Service Act regarding medical license revocation.
The KMA has described the consultative body as an increasingly practical forum focused on pending healthcare issues, stressing that the government has been listening to the medical community’s concerns and proposals and has agreed to further reviews and follow-up discussions.
The nation's largest doctors' group appears determined to pursue similar government measures regarding the entry of oriental medicine practitioners into the cosmetic and aesthetic treatment market.
Kim also emphasized the need for unified action within the medical community on licensing and scope-of-practice issues involving oriental medicine.
“It is encouraging to see plastic surgery and dermatology academic societies and physician groups joining together at today’s press conference,” Kim said.
He added that rehabilitation medicine societies and physician groups had recently collaborated with the KMA in parliamentary lobbying efforts regarding proposed amendments to the Medical Technicians Act.
“Only when consensus is formed within the medical community and delivered collectively can alternatives be created and controversial bills in the National Assembly be put on hold,” Kim said.
“If academic societies simply expect the KMA to handle these issues alone without a shared sense of urgency, we may fall behind in responding to illegal medical practices,” he added. “The KMA will continue to take the lead and respond firmly to resolve these issues.”
Koh Jung Min
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