'Zombie drug' fentanyl shows signs of becoming an epidemic in South Korea... Experts call for vigilance

Several experts have warned that South Korea is not a safe haven for the drug fentanyl, which is a worldwide problem due to its highly addictive nature and hallucinations. The fluid prescribed by the medical staff as a painkiller
He stressed that entanyl can also cause addiction and that cooperation with the medical community is needed. On the 14th, South Korea's National Life Science Advisory Group published an article entitled ``Zombie drug fentanyl, is it safe in South Korea?''
A national life science and technology forum was held. Experts attending the forum pointed out that fentanyl prescribed by medical personnel must also be properly tracked and monitored.
Fentanyl, a legal drug, can cause addiction even when prescribed as a painkiller. A member of the Department of Forensic Science at Sungkyunkwan University who served as the director of the National Forensic Science Institute.
Professor Yong Hee-sung said, ``In the United States, there are cases in which legally prescribed opiate painkillers have triggered heroin addiction.Even in Japan, prescriptions for medical fentanyl have led to the emergence of addicts.''
"We need cooperation with the medical community," he said. Fentanyl is cheaper and more readily available than other drugs, and counterfeit and mixed versions are also available. Professor Chong said, ``Illegal manufacturing of fenta
"In addition to preventing the influx of fentanyl into the country, it is also important to provide preventive education about the dangers of fentanyl." According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the number of patients prescribed fentanyl in South Korea will increase in 2020.
It has been on an increasing trend since 2007. In 2020, there were 1.86 million people, but in 2021 it rose to 1.94 million, and in 2022 it rose to 1.95 million. Last year's count has not yet been completed, but it is estimated to be around 2.01 million people.
determined. Meanwhile, the number of prescriptions decreased from 14.51 million units in 2020 to 13.22 million units in 2022. Kim YongJi-yu, director of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, said, ``In South Korea, which has a lot of exchanges with the United States,
"The widespread fentanyl problem in the United States could spread." The center keeps track of prescriptions and dispensing records for narcotics such as fentanyl through an integrated narcotics management system.
It is said that on-site monitoring is being strengthened. Last year, 15 doctors who misused fentanyl were suspended from practice. Meanwhile, Kang Jeong-hwa, chairman of the Korean Consumers Federation, said,
The instructions for use of Ntanil state that ``repeated use of this drug may result in an opiate-induced disorder,'' but consumers need to be warned in an easy-to-understand manner.''