Analysis by National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee Member Baek Hyeryun
"Side Effects and Addiction Risks Must Be Clearly Recognized"
Prescriptions for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) medications, known as 'study drugs' among some adolescents and parents, have doubled over the past three years.
On the 27th, Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that an analysis of data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety revealed that prescriptions for ADHD medications given to children and adolescents have doubled in the past three years. Methylphenidate, an ADHD medication, is classified as a medical narcotic for those aged 10 and under.
On the 6th of last month, 100 days before the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test, a test taker was self-studying at the Jongno Academy Gangbuk Main Branch in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
According to the data disclosed by Representative Baek, there were a total of 125,739 cases of methylphenidate prescriptions last year. This represents a 96.5% increase from 65,685 cases in 2020, nearly doubling in just three years. During the same period, the prescription increase rates for other medical narcotics were 5.1% for painkillers, 18.6% for hypnotics and sedatives, and 30.4% for anesthetics. This shows that the increase rate of ADHD prescriptions is relatively much higher than that of other medical narcotics.
ADHD medications are mistakenly known as 'study drugs' among some students, including high school seniors preparing for college entrance exams. Some online communities share methods to obtain prescriptions for these medications even without ADHD symptoms, and some parents have illegally obtained and administered these drugs to their children. This phenomenon becomes particularly prominent every year ahead of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).
According to data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2020, the highest number of ADHD medication prescriptions occurred in October, just before the CSAT. In response, in August last year, the office of Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced that the number of prescriptions in regions with high educational enthusiasm, such as the Gangnam 3 districts (Gangnam, Seocho, Songpa) and Nowon district, was notably high.
It is known that adolescents without ADHD who take the stimulant methylphenidate may experience side effects such as headaches, anxiety, hallucinations, delusions, and suicide attempts. Additionally, research shows that long-term methylphenidate users have kidneys approximately 2.5 cm smaller than non-users. Experts also explain that this medication is effective only when taken by children and adolescents with ADHD-related learning disabilities, and there is no research indicating that long-term use improves academic performance. Furthermore, this medication is classified as a 'Class Na' substance under the Enforcement Decree of the Narcotics Control Act, meaning it has a high risk of abuse and can cause severe physical and psychological dependence if misused.
Representative Baek stated, "The indiscriminate prescription and misuse of ADHD medications can threaten children's health and social safety nets," adding, "Since some examinees use these drugs as 'study drugs,' education and management to ensure clear awareness of the drug's side effects and addiction risks are necessary."
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