The PSY Sleeping Pill Controversy Explained: What We Know So Far

PSY, best known globally for his hit Gangnam Style, is facing controversy after being accused of receiving prescription sleeping pills through improper channels. On August 28, police confirmed that the K-pop icon and a university hospital professor are under investigation by the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul for alleged violations of the Medical Service Act.

The Allegations Against PSY

Authorities suspect that from 2022 until recently, PSY received prescriptions for psychotropic drugs such as Xanax and Stilnox from a university hospital without in-person consultations. These medications, commonly prescribed for sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression, are classified as high-risk due to their addictive properties.

Investigators also believe that the singer’s manager collected the drugs on his behalf, raising questions of “proxy pickup” and potentially “proxy prescription.” Police recently seized hospital records to verify the frequency and details of the prescriptions.

What the Law Says

Under Korean law, psychotropic drugs require face-to-face medical consultations and must generally be collected directly by the patient. Proxy collection is only permitted in very limited circumstances, such as when a patient is unconscious, has mobility issues, or requires long-term repeat prescriptions. Even then, only immediate family members or registered caregivers are allowed to collect the drugs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine and proxy collection were temporarily permitted, but this exception ended in November 2021. Since then, strict in-person requirements have been reinstated. Violations may result in fines of up to 10 million won or imprisonment of up to one year.

PSY’s Explanation and Apology

PSY’s agency, P NATION, released an official statement acknowledging mistakes but denying intentional wrongdoing. The agency admitted that someone else picked up the prescribed sleeping pills for the 47-year-old singer but stressed that the prescriptions themselves were not issued through a proxy.

Receiving sleeping pills, a prescription medication, through a proxy was a clear mistake and oversight. Regarding the singer PSY, he was diagnosed with chronic sleep disorder and has been taking sleeping pills according to the doctor’s prescription. The sleeping pills were prescribed and taken under the guidance of medical professionals in the prescribed dosage, and there was no proxy prescription. However, there was a case where a third party received the sleeping pills on his behalf, and recently, an investigation has been conducted by the police.

The singer is receiving ongoing treatment for a chronic sleep disorder and is taking his medication as directed by his physician. P Nation added that he has only taken the prescribed dosage under medical supervision. Still, they described the third-party pickup as a “clear mistake and oversight.

Medical Experts Disagree

Despite P Nation’s explanation, a practicing doctor publicly refuted the claim, arguing that PSY’s actions went beyond a simple “proxy pickup.” The doctor insisted that this amounted to a proxy prescription, which is illegal under Korean law.

Comparisons to Other Cases

This case has drawn attention due to similarities with other high-profile drug controversies. Former professional baseball player Oh Jae Won was sentenced to one year and six months in prison after being found guilty of forcing juniors to receive prescriptions for Xanax and Stilnox on his behalf. 

Analysts have noted that PSY’s case, while different in details, still raises serious legal and ethical concerns about the use of third parties in obtaining restricted drugs.

What Happens Next

The Seodaemun Police Station plans to review the seized hospital records and may summon PSY for questioning after analyzing the evidence. Investigators are also looking into Professor, the prescribing doctor, for possible violations of medical law.

HIS agency continues to stress that he has followed medical advice for his sleep disorder. However, the legal outcome will depend on whether authorities view his case as a violation of the strict regulations surrounding psychotropic prescriptions.

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