In a move to combat illegal rebates to local clinics and doctors exploiting pharmaceutical employees for personal tasks, the South Korean government introduced a reward initiative on March 21 for whistleblowers reporting unethical practices. This initiative offers up to 3 billion won in compensation. Vice Minister of Welfare Park Min-soo mentioned that reports of such illegal activities prompted the government to run an “intensive reporting period” until May 20. The issue of pharmaceutical firms providing illegal rebates and doctors abusing power has been a longstanding concern. The government’s action is directed at intimidating doctors who oppose the expansion of medical school quotas rather than being a rational government policy. Such a move is likely to backfire.
The government stressed that beginning next week, doctors on leave will face penalties, including license suspension, affecting over 90 percent of the trainee doctors. Moreover, the police are summoning and investigating members of the Korean Medical Association (KMA)’s emergency committee. The government says they are “open to dialog on all matters,” but its actions suggest otherwise.
While there is a comprehensive agreement that expansion of the medical school quota is necessary, the process is highly complex, involving diverse interests among the government, health community, and patients. In such a situation, any attempt to subjugate any single group is bound to be met with great resistance. The KMA went as far as to declare on March 22 that they will not recognize the current government as the legitimate government of South Korea.
Both the government and the medical community have made their stands clear. Now is the time for dialogue. The doctors have even agreed to start with an increase of 2,000 people, with further discussions to follow. If the government continues to pursue complete victory, such an approach could leave side effects. Engaging in discussions and reaching compromises would be the most desirable for the government, the medical group, and the public alike.
