The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety noted on the 25th that it will inspect medical institutions and pharmacies handling growth hormones, commonly misidentified as 'height-increasing injections.' Growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and helps bone cell growth. Growth hormone medications should be used for those with hormone deficiencies or Turner syndrome, but reports have increased of some parents misusing them to increase their children's height. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will monitor for false and exaggerated advertising among medical institutions and pharmacies.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will check instances of illegal distribution of steroid injections for muscle enhancement purposes. It will review the status of receiving, selling, and using steroid injections. Additionally, it will check for compliance with safety standards among responsible sellers of cosmetics made from human cell and tissue culture fluid.
This surveillance will be conducted jointly with local governments until the 29th. If violations are confirmed as a result of the inspections, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to take administrative actions against the relevant medical institutions, pharmacies, wholesalers, and pharmaceutical companies. There are plans to request investigations into the illegal distribution of steroid injections. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "We will ensure that the public can use medical products that meet quality and safety standards."