The issue of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake doctors and pharmacists to illegally advertise pharmaceuticals and health functional foods was put on the agenda at the National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) on the 21st. In response, the MFDS said it would strengthen the system for managing false advertising.
On the 21st, Han Ji-a of the People Power Party said at the Health and Welfare Committee's National Assembly audit that "false advertising has evolved along with technological advances," and noted concerns that "so-called experts such as fake doctors and pharmacists using AI are rampant on YouTube and Instagram, and the public cannot help but be persuaded."
Kim Nam-hui of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "Current laws such as the Food Labeling and Advertising Act and the Pharmacist Act all prohibit doctors from advertising products, but this regulation does not apply to AI fake doctors, creating a regulatory gap."
In response, Oh Yu-kyung, the MFDS Minister, said, "There is growing concern that AI experts could mislead and confuse consumers," and said the agency would supplement the system for managing false advertising.
There was also criticism that oversight of misuse and abuse of obesity treatment injections such as Wegovy and mounjaro is insufficient. So Byung-hun of the Democratic Party of Korea said, "Problems are occurring such as prescriptions for minors and prescriptions that do not meet the body mass index (BMI, weight divided by height squared) standard," and added, "Illegal online distribution and improper advertising have gone too far."
Minister Oh said, "We will consult with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on introducing a system for drugs at risk of misuse and abuse," and added, "We will have the cyber investigation team step up crackdowns on improper online advertising of obesity treatments."