The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Monday that it has uncovered 482 websites that advertised illegal proxy purchase of foreign treatments for tinnitus, sleep disorder, and other diseases.

The ministry has also blocked access to these sites and banned the drugs’  imports by requesting the Korea Customs Service.

Ministry officials noted that consumers should buy these drugs only at hospitals or pharmacies instead of purchasing them online, advising the latter never to forget consulting a doctor or a pharmacist before buying them.

The ministry checked open markets and overseas shopping malls that could be accessed through the domestic internet portal sites were. It ferreted out 471 domestic open markets and 11 overseas shopping malls. It ferreted out  113 herbal and other tinnitus treatments, 48 hypnotics sedatives, and 321  digestive medicines.

These products were all unauthorized drugs traded through direct overseas purchases and proxy sales. Those products do not have precautions or ingredients that must be marked in compliance with the pharmaceutical law.

The officials asked the consumers to refer to the ministry’s related website (nedrug.mfds.go.kr) to confirm a specific drug’s ingredient, effects, usage, volume, and precautions.

“We will continue to inspect illegal advertisement and sales of medicine online. By cooperating with the customs offices, we will block their illegal imports,” Chae Hyu-han, head of Cyber Security Services, said. “If needed, we will request for an investigation of the violators of the Pharmaceutical Act to prevent the harm beforehand.”