[2022 National Audit] "Medicine for Better Studying?"... High ADHD Medication Prescription Rates in Gangnam, Songpa, and Seocho

[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] It has been revealed that ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) medications are prescribed the most in areas known as the number one private education districts. There are concerns that ADHD medications are being misused as 'study-enhancing drugs.'

On the 20th, Shin Hyun-young, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, analyzed the residential data of ADHD medication recipients through the National Health Insurance Service. The analysis showed that among Seoul's autonomous districts, residents of the three Gangnam districts known for their high educational enthusiasm (Gangnam, Songpa, Seocho) and Nowon received the most ADHD prescriptions. Last year, Gangnam-gu had the highest number with 2,004 people (9.2%), followed by Songpa-gu (1,971 people, 9.1%), Seocho-gu (1,333 people, 6.1%), and Nowon-gu (1,108 people, 5.1%). The districts with the fewest prescriptions were Geumcheon-gu (24th) and Jung-gu (25th), with 1,066 people (1.5%) and 822 people (1.1%) prescribed, respectively.

Status of ADHD Medication Prescriptions by Seoul Autonomous Districts Over the Past 5 Years

Last year, the number of people prescribed ADHD medications was 79,037, approximately double the 37,308 in 2017. This increase is also analyzed to be influenced by rumors among parents that ADHD medications improve concentration. Looking at the data by region over the past five years, Gyeonggi Province had the highest number of ADHD medication recipients at 78,343 (28.5%), followed by Seoul (70,591, 25.7%) and Busan (20,396, 28.7%).

Regarding this, Assemblywoman Shin said, “ADHD shows symptoms such as distractibility, lack of attention, and impulsivity, and taking treatment medication reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Because of this, ADHD medications were once disguised as study-enhancing drugs that improve concentration, especially centered around the highly education-driven Gangnam 3 districts.” She added, “We need to examine whether the increase in ADHD medication prescriptions is a result of Korea’s excessive educational zeal and drug misuse. It is necessary to establish proactive guidelines to ensure that ADHD medications containing methylphenidate, a psychotropic substance, are prescribed appropriately.”