AI site issues prescriptions without doctor oversight in South Korea

What happened

A man in his 30s operated a website from August to November 2024 that issued prescriptions based on AI chatting with users describing their symptoms, without any doctor involvement. The operator trained the AI on prescription-related content and recruited users by advertising the AI's prescription expertise, working to fulfill the standard prescription form format by forging the identities of hospital staff.

Reported impact

The site processed approximately 140 prescription requests at 300–600 won each. Few prescriptions resulted in actual pharmacy purchases because the issued prescriptions had nonstandard formatting and content. No psychotropic drugs were dispensed and no major health adverse events were reported from medications purchased through the site.

Index analysis

The website operated without medical oversight or regulatory approval, violating South Korean law prohibiting non-medical professionals from providing medical services as a business. Unlike legitimate AI-enabled telemedicine, which operates under doctor supervision, this site issued prescriptions based solely on AI-user chat without healthcare provider involvement.

Governance controls

The Korean Medical Association filed a complaint against the site in October 2024. Police began their investigation following this report and determined the site violated current law and fell outside regulatory guidelines for remote medical services set by health authorities.

Classification

Organizations

A (30s male) (subject), Korean Medical Association, Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency (regulator)

Category

Safety and wellbeing

Industry

Healthcare, drugs and biotechnology

Country

South Korea

Harm status

Potential harm

Intent

Intentional

Timing

Post-deployment

Harm types

Public interest, Economic or property

Harmed

General public

Failure modes

Unsafe autonomous behaviour

Consequences

Police investigation, Regulatory investigation

AI systems

AI prescription issuance site

Regulations

FCRA (cited)

Sources and evidence