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Busan Metropolitan City Special Judicial Police to Intensively Crack Down on Illegal Online Advertising and Sales of Pharmaceuticals and Other Products

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, will conduct intensive investigations from tomorrow, October 1, through December 31 into businesses that advertise or sell pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and hygiene products through online shopping malls, social media services (SNS), and other online channels, focusing on illegal distribution and false or exaggerated advertising.

As online purchases of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, and hygiene products have increased in recent years, illegal activities have also risen, including false or exaggerated advertising regarding product efficacy and effects, as well as the sale of products that have not received the required authorization, certification, or notification.

The crackdown is therefore intended to prevent such illegal activities, which could pose risks to public health.

Key areas of enforcement include false or exaggerated advertising regarding the efficacy and effects of pharmaceuticals; the sale of unauthorized or unreported medical devices and false or exaggerated advertising of such devices; false or exaggerated advertising that could cause cosmetics to be mistaken for pharmaceuticals; and false or exaggerated advertising of hygiene products and violations of labeling requirements.

When violations are detected during the crackdown, Busan Metropolitan City plans to take strict measures, including initiating criminal proceedings, in accordance with applicable laws.

In particular, the principal statutory penalties for false or exaggerated online advertising and illegal distribution vary by product category. False or exaggerated advertising regarding the efficacy or effects of pharmaceuticals may be punishable by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to KRW 10 million. False or exaggerated advertising regarding the performance or effects of medical devices may be punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to KRW 30 million.

In addition, advertising that causes cosmetics to be mistaken for pharmaceuticals, or false or exaggerated advertising of cosmetics, may be punishable by imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to KRW 10 million. False or exaggerated advertising regarding the ingredients, uses, or effects of hygiene products may likewise be subject to penalties under applicable laws, including imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to KRW 10 million.

Meanwhile, the Busan Metropolitan City Special Judicial Police Division is accepting reports from citizens regarding violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, Medical Devices Act, Cosmetics Act, and Hygiene Products Control Act. Reports may be submitted to the Public Health Investigation Team of the Special Judicial Police Division at 051-888-3104 to 051-888-3106.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo said, “As online purchases of pharmaceuticals and other products increase, consumers may sometimes find it difficult to assess the safety and efficacy of products based solely on advertising claims.”

He added, “We will do our utmost to create a sound distribution and sales environment by actively cracking down on illegal online advertising and sales so that citizens can purchase pharmaceuticals and other products with confidence.”