531,230 units of chelation injections supplied to medical institutions nationwide

Supply records provided to lawmaker Jeon Jin-sook's office by the Korea Pharmaceutical Information Service at the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service show that 531,230 units of chelation injections were supplied to medical institutions nationwide from 2023 through August 2026. The supplies were valued at 6,293,000,000 won over that period.

Clinic-level medical institutions received 389,470 units, accounting for 73.3% of the total supply volume. Supplies to clinics were valued at 4,618,000,000 won, or 73.4% of the total.

Among other medical institutions, hospital-level institutions received 98,290 units, general hospitals 40,180 units and tertiary general hospitals 3,290 units. The respective supply values were 1,203,000,000 won for hospital-level institutions, 437,000,000 won for general hospitals and 35,000,000 won for tertiary general hospitals.

These chelation injections contain edetate calcium disodium, which binds to heavy metals such as lead to help remove them through urine. It can also affect essential minerals, including calcium, and carries risks of adverse effects such as kidney damage and electrolyte imbalances.