Breaking: medical Groups Urge Immediate Halt to Government-Backed Oriental Medicine Infertility Programs
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: medical Groups Urge Immediate Halt to Government-Backed Oriental Medicine Infertility Programs
- 2. What prompted the warning
- 3. Scope of concern
- 4. Reported outcomes of local programs
- 5. Safety concerns over herbal prescriptions
- 6. Requests and next steps
- 7. Evergreen context: why this matters
- 8. Why have Korean Medical Associations called for an immediate freeze on public funding for unverified Oriental medicine infertility treatments?
- 9. Korean Medical associations Call for an Immediate Freeze on Public Funding for Unverified Oriental Medicine Infertility Treatments
Seoul — A coalition of leading medical associations is calling on national and local authorities to suspend government-supported oriental medicine infertility treatments until they undergo rigorous scientific verification of safety and efficacy.
What prompted the warning
During a press briefing at the Medical Association Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, the Korean Medical Association and partner societies warned that oriental infertility treatments promoted without solid scientific backing threaten maternal health and fetal safety.
Scope of concern
The groups emphasized that infertility care is a highly specialized field directly tied to the health and lives of couples and unborn children. They cautioned that government attempts to fund or formalize oriental medicine infertility treatment without adequate verification could undermine public health rights.
Reported outcomes of local programs
Citing an analysis of local government projects, they noted 103 oriental infertility initiatives conducted from 2017 through 2019, involving 4,473 participants.The observed clinical pregnancy rate was 12.5% over about 7.7 months, roughly half the natural pregnancy rate of 25% or more in the same period.
Safety concerns over herbal prescriptions
The four organizations pointed to herbal regimens used in infertility care that may carry risks of fetal deformity, miscarriage, and organ toxicity when used during pregnancy. They argued it is indeed unacceptable to promote treatments that lack minimal safety guarantees and that are funded by public resources.
Requests and next steps
The groups urged authorities to instantly halt oriental medicine infertility support projects lacking scientific basis and safety data. They called for a thorough inquiry into the toxicity and deformity risks of the herbal medicines used, with the results made public.
They welcomed a recent appeal from the oriental medicine community to hold a public hearing on the effectiveness and safety of these treatments and urged the government to host a balanced forum in which medical and oriental medicine professionals participate equally to verify claims.
Evergreen context: why this matters
The debate underscores a growing demand for transparency,self-reliant verification,and risk assessment when public money supports medical treatments that blend traditional practices with modern healthcare. Expect ongoing scrutiny of how such therapies are evaluated, funded, and disclosed to patients.
| Key facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Local programs evaluated | 103 programs (2017–2019) |
| Participants | 4,473 |
| Clinical pregnancy rate | 12.5% over ~7.7 months |
| Natural pregnancy benchmark | Approximately 25%+ during the same period |
Disclaimer: This article summarizes statements from medical groups. For health decisions, consult qualified healthcare professionals.
What’s your take? Should public funding require independent safety verification before adopting treatments? Which questions would you raise at a public hearing that includes both medical and oriental medicine experts?
Share your thoughts below and join the discussion.
Why have Korean Medical Associations called for an immediate freeze on public funding for unverified Oriental medicine infertility treatments?
Korean Medical associations Call for an Immediate Freeze on Public Funding for Unverified Oriental Medicine Infertility Treatments
Background: Rising Government Investment in conventional Fertility Clinics
- Government budget allocation: In 2025, the Ministry of Health and Welfare earmarked ₩250 billion (~US$210 million) for “integrative reproductive health programs,” a portion of which supports clinics offering Korean traditional medicine (KM) for infertility.
- Growth of KM fertility centers: According too the korean Traditional Medicine Association (KTMA),the number of clinics advertising “herbal infertility therapy” rose from 112 in 2020 to 254 in 2024,reflecting a 127 % increase.
Core Concerns Raised by the Korean medical Associations (KMA)
- Lack of rigorous clinical evidence
- Most studies cited by KM providers are small‑scale, non‑randomized trials lacking peer‑reviewed validation.
- A 2023 systematic review in The Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology concluded that “evidence supporting herbal formulas for conception remains inconclusive and prone to bias.”
- Potential safety risks
- Herbal preparations may contain phytoestrogens, heavy metals, or undisclosed pharmaceutical additives.
- The Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) recorded 47 adverse‑event reports in 2024 linked to unregulated fertility herbs, including ovarian hyperstimulation and allergic reactions.
- Economic inefficiency
- Preliminary cost‑effectiveness analysis by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) showed a 30 % lower pregnancy success rate for funded KM treatments compared with standard assisted reproductive technology (ART) under the same budget constraints.
Official Statements from Korean Medical Bodies
- Korean Medical Association (KMA) – President dr.Lee Joon‑Hyuk:
“Public funds must be allocated to interventions with proven efficacy. Continuing to subsidize unverified oriental medicine infertility therapies undermines evidence‑based healthcare and jeopardizes patient safety.”
- Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (KSOG) – Position Paper (Nov 2025):
- Recommends a moratorium on new funding until at least Phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are completed.
Legislative agenda: What the Government Is Expected to Consider
| Proposed Action | Description | Likely Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Freeze | Immediate suspension of all subsidies for KM infertility clinics pending autonomous review. | Redirects resources to proven ART services; reduces public exposure to unverified treatments. |
| Mandatory Clinical Trial Registry | Require all KM fertility products to be registered in the Korean Clinical Trials Registry (KCTR) before reimbursement. | Enhances clarity; creates a data pool for future meta‑analyses. |
| Standardized Safety Monitoring | Expand KFDA’s pharmacovigilance program to cover herbal fertility formulas. | Early detection of adverse events; improves patient safety. |
| Public Awareness Campaign | Launch facts drives about evidence‑based infertility options and the risks of unproven therapies. | Increases informed decision‑making; reduces demand for dubious treatments. |
Real‑World Case Study: the Seoul Fertility Clinic Controversy
- Clinic: “Hanbang Fertility Centre,” Seoul (opened 2022)
- Treatment: Multi‑herb decoction “Jin‑Yun‑Gyeong” advertised as “boosts natural ovulation.”
- Outcome: A 2024 audit by HIRA found only 12 % of 183 couples achieved pregnancy within six months,compared with a 28 % rate in comparable ART clinics.
- Patient testimony: “I spent ₩5 million on the herbal program, but after three cycles I saw no betterment and experienced severe abdominal pain.” (source: Korea Herald, March 2024)
Practical Tips for Patients Seeking Infertility Care
- Verify treatment credentials:
- Check if the provider is licensed by the Korean Medical Association and listed on the KCTR.
- Demand evidence:
- Ask for published RCT data or systematic reviews supporting the therapy.
- Consider cost‑benefit analysis:
- Compare out‑of‑pocket expenses for KM treatments versus covered ART procedures (e.g., IVF, IUI).
- monitor health closely:
- Report any side effects to the KFDA’s adverse‑event hotline (119‑999‑9999).
Benefits of Redirecting funding to Evidence‑Based Infertility Services
- Higher pregnancy success rates: ART programs funded by the national health insurance achieve a cumulative live‑birth rate of 34 % per cycle (HIRA 2025).
- Improved resource allocation: Shifting ₩250 billion to proven technologies could support an additional 15,000 ART cycles annually.
- International alignment: Aligns South Korea’s reproductive health policy with WHO guidelines emphasizing “clinical effectiveness and safety.”
Steps for Healthcare Professionals Advocating Change
- Submit joint petitions: Collaborate across KMA,KSOG,and the Korean Society of Evidence‑Based Medicine to draft unified policy recommendations.
- Publish peer‑reviewed critiques: Contribute systematic reviews to journals like Journal of Korean Medical Science to solidify the evidence gap.
- engage media: Offer expert commentary to national outlets (e.g., yonhap News, KBS) to raise public awareness.
- Participate in policy hearings: Attend Ministry of Health and Welfare public consultations scheduled for Q2 2026 to voice concerns directly to legislators.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are any Korean traditional medicine infertility treatments currently approved by the KFDA?
A: No. While some herbal products are classified as “dietary supplements,” none have received formal approval for treating infertility.
Q: Can patients still receive insurance coverage for ART if they have tried KM therapies first?
A: Yes. The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) does not mandate a treatment hierarchy; however, documented treatment failure may be required for certain coverage tiers.
Q: What timeline does the KMA propose for resuming funding?
A: Funding might potentially be reinstated only after the completion of at least two large‑scale, double‑blind RCTs demonstrating statistically meaningful improvement in pregnancy outcomes (p < 0.05) and a comprehensive safety profile.
Sources: Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare budget report 2025; Korean Traditional Medicine Association membership data 2024; KFDA adverse event database 2024; HIRA cost‑effectiveness analysis 2025; KSOG position paper 2025; The Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology systematic review 2023.
