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A Qualitative Case Study on Biopharmaceutical Administration Accidents: Focused on ‘Invossa-K’ victims

  • Journal of Human Rights Studies
  • Abbr : JHRS
  • 2022, 5(1), pp.43-86
  • DOI : 10.22976/JHRS.2022.5.1.43
  • Publisher : Korean Association of Human Rights Studies
  • Research Area : Social Science > Law > Law of Special Parts > Human Rights / International Human Rights Law
  • Received : May 1, 2022
  • Accepted : June 6, 2022
  • Published : June 30, 2022

Shin Yu Na 1,  Hasegawa Saori 2,  CHOI KYUJIN 1

1인하대학교
2인하대학교 의과대학

Accredited

ABSTRACT

In 2019, the ‘Invossa Incident’ occurred in which GP2-293 cells, an abnormal cell, were injected into osteoarthritis patients, causing many victims. This study selected key question such as ‘the data acquiring and entire course of medication’, ‘the reason for receiving the treatment’, ‘situations after medication’, ‘ the serious problems and the radical solutions’, and conducted interviews with 10 victims who were administered with Invossa-K. The research deduced results that there are 4 key categories such as ‘a lot of false or exaggerated content’, ‘the mechanism to encourage high-priced injections’, ‘socio-economic pain’. The research findings are as follow: First, the participants came into contact with the Invossas through hospitals, newspapers, YouTube advertising and local broadcasting programs. Most of these publicity materials lured the victims with false or exaggerated content. Second, the participants decided to receive the treatment despite its high cost and low expected effects mainly because of aggressive recommendations of hospitals. The indemnity insurance coverage of the treatment also played a significant role in attracting patients. Third, after the participants found out that there was something wrong with the treatment, their symptoms did not improve in many cases. They were severely traumatized when they heard that the ingredients were problematic. In addition, considerable socio-economic suffering, such as leave of absence, loss of job, bankruptcy, and family discord followed physical and mental suffering. For women, in particular, the severity of these negative consequences was much worse. Fourth, the participants regarded that it will be difficult to conduct a medical probe or follow-up test for this case. Besides, the victims' grave distrust of the officials and the absence of an occasion to dispel such distrust also served as obstacles of resolving the problem. The participants were especially outraged that Kolon Life Science was trying to cover up the incident with the CEO's resignation and did not make a sincere apology nor show a responsible attitude. They also expressed resentment towards the government for failing to prevent the situation in advance. In addition, the participants urged with one voice about strengthening hospital business ethics and medical ethics of doctors. Lastly, considering that the Invossa incident can be seen as a social disaster rather than a matter of individual mistake, the participants expected that appropriate compensation is provided to relieve physical, mental, and socio-economic suffering even a little.

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This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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