Some consumers have been purchasing prescription-only injectable drugs online without a doctor’s oversight. On the 12th, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) announced that it had referred an individual, identified as A, to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. A is accused of illegally selling 160 million won ($116,000) worth of prescription medications, including glutathione injections commonly known as "Baekok (Jade) shots," without medical prescriptions. Under Article 44(1) of South Korea’s Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, non-pharmacy operators are strictly prohibited from selling pharmaceuticals.
Inflated Orders and Secret Resales
The MFDS Central Investigation Unit for Hazard Crimes launched an inquiry after receiving tips regarding the illicit trade of cosmetic and fatigue-relief injectables—such as "Baekok shots" and "Cinderella shots"—within online community forums dedicated to women's beauty and nursing.
Investigators revealed that A worked as a pharmaceutical sales promoter, managing sales outreach on consignment from a drug wholesaler. Under the pretense of supplying client hospitals, A allegedly ordered far more pharmaceuticals from wholesalers than medical facilities required, delivered only a fraction of the stock, and diverted the remainder for private resale.
From April 2025 to April 2026, A reportedly siphoned off approximately 2,293 units across roughly 100 types of prescription-only injectable drugs. The products were delivered via courier or handed over in person after receiving cash or bank transfer payments from 156 individual buyers, generating a total illegal trade value of 160 million won.
Photos of the seized pharmaceuticals released by the MFDS indicate that the illicitly traded items included prominent cosmetic injectables such as Bionju and Detoxionju ("Baekok shots"), Aidellaju ("Cinderella shots"), Pobiwonju ("garlic shots"), Hishipagen-C ju ("licorice shots"), and Laennecju ("placenta shots"). Other diverted medications lacking colloquial nicknames included Yenastheronju, Ephedrine Hydrochloride Injection, B-Complex Hexa Injection, and Ascorbic Acid Injection, bringing the number of primary items illegally distributed to 10.
Although marketed by word-of-mouth for skin whitening or fatigue recovery, all 10 medications are strictly prescription-only drugs requiring a physician's order.
Unapproved Uses and Severe Health Risks
Investigators found that most buyers purchased these prescription drugs without medical supervision either for low-cost aesthetic benefits, such as skin whitening and antioxidant effects, or to boost stamina during exercise.
However, the officially approved medical indications for these 10 drugs vary widely and bear no relation to their popular off-label uses. Authorized indications range from preventing neurological disorders (in the case of Baekok shots) and treating sensorineural hearing loss of the inner ear (Cinderella shots) to addressing vitamin deficiencies, improving liver function, treating hormone deficiencies, and managing bronchial asthma. Arbitrarily using these injectables for skin whitening or workout performance falls entirely outside their approved medical scope.
The MFDS warned that the misuse or overuse of these prescription injectables can trigger severe adverse reactions, including cardiopulmonary arrest, loss of consciousness, and respiratory distress leading to shock. Even widely used aesthetic treatments carry significant side effects, such as hypotension (low blood pressure), palpitations, and skin rashes.
Major Illegally Distributed Pharmaceuticals: Approved Indications and Side Effects
Based on items caught by the MFDS Central Investigation Unit for Hazard Crimes
Product Name (Colloquial Name) | Approved Indications | Major Side Effects |
Detoxion Injection (Baekok / Jade Injection) | Prevention of neurological disorders | Low blood pressure (hypotension), abnormal pulse |
Bion Injection (Baekok / Jade Injection) | Prevention of neurological disorders | Low blood pressure (hypotension), abnormal pulse |
Aidella Injection (Cinderella Injection) | Thioctic acid supplementation, sensorineural hearing loss of the inner ear | Rash, palpitations |
Pobiwon Injection (Garlic Injection) | Prevention of vitamin B1 deficiency | Shock |
Laennec Injection (Placenta Injection) | Improvement of liver function in liver disease | Shock |
Hishipagen-C Injection (Licorice Injection) | Skin disorders, improvement of liver function | Shock, hypokalemia |
Ephedrine Hydrochloride Injection | Bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, upper respiratory tract inflammation | Palpitations, arrhythmia |
Yenastheron Injection | Hypogonadism | Virilization in women, gynecomastia |
B-Complex Hexa Injection | Vitamin deficiency | Shock, rash |
Ascorbic Acid Injection | Vitamin C deficiency | Abdominal cramps, headache, insomnia |
Source: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)
The Central Investigation Unit for Hazard Crimes asked prosecutors to seek a pre-indictment forfeiture order to freeze 70 million won in criminal proceeds allegedly obtained by A, pursuant to the Act on the Regulation and Punishment of Concealment of Criminal Proceeds. Authorities emphasized that they will continue to aggressively crack down on illicit drug sales to protect public health.
Health officials stressed that injectables distributed through online forums or private contacts bypass official distribution channels, making it impossible to guarantee proper storage conditions or product quality. Consumers are urged to obtain legitimate prescriptions through medical institutions rather than seeking unverified online alternatives.
The MFDS noted that the criminal allegations disclosed remain subject to final court determination.
