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(Photo= Yonhap news) |
[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Minyoung] Police investigating the illegal rebate allegations involving Korean Drug have added over 100 more doctors to their list of suspects who allegedly received rebates.
A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated during a regular press briefing on July 1st, "In addition to the pharmaceutical companies and 14 doctors previously under investigation, we have added over 100 doctors based on further investigations and evidence analysis. We will coordinate attendance dates with the implicated doctors for swift investigations."
The official mentioned, "So far, we have questioned over 70 individuals associated with pharmaceutical companies, including sales representatives, as witnesses. The number of doctors under investigation may increase as the investigation progresses."
However, the official clarified, "Currently, there are no investigations underway involving other pharmaceutical companies besides Korean Drug."
The police, acting on a request from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, transferred this case from the Seoul Suseo Police Station to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Criminal Mobilization Division in mid-March.
It was revealed earlier that police had identified evidence suggesting that over 1,000 doctors received cash, electronic goods, or golf-related entertainment from Korean Drug. In April, during a raid on the headquarters of Korean Drug in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, police seized an Excel file named 'BM' (Black Money) containing detailed information on the rebates.
Police are expanding their investigation into illegal rebates throughout the medical industry beyond just Korean Drug. Recently, on June 25th, they conducted a search and seizure operation at a comprehensive hospital in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, in connection with this investigation.
Alphabiz Kim Minyoung (kimmy@alphabiz.co.kr)
