South Korean health authorities have reported a striking 140% increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication prescriptions over the past four years. (Image courtesy of Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, March 24 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean health authorities have reported a striking 140% increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication prescriptions over the past four years, while prescriptions for appetite suppressants continued their steady decline.
According to data released by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, approximately 338,000 individuals received prescriptions for methylphenidate, a common ADHD medication, in 2024 — a 40.4% increase from the previous year’s 281,000. The figure represents nearly two and a half times the number of prescriptions issued in 2020, when the country began tracking medical narcotics trends.
The surge in ADHD prescriptions coincides with growing public awareness of the condition, particularly among youth, driven partly by parenting-focused television programs and improved access to psychiatric care. Adolescents and children under 20 accounted for 45.3% of prescriptions, followed by individuals in their 20s at 25.9% and 30s at 17.1%.
The increased demand has led to supply shortages of certain ADHD medications, including Janssen’s Concerta. Meanwhile, prescriptions for appetite suppressants fell for the fourth consecutive year, dropping to 1.1 million in 2024 from 1.3 million in 2020 — a 15.9% decrease.
“This decline in appetite suppressant prescriptions likely reflects the emergence of alternative obesity treatments like Saxenda and Wegovy, which offer appetite control without the addictive properties of narcotic medications,” said Cho Seong-nam, director of a narcotics control center run by the city of Seoul. “Healthcare providers should exercise caution when prescribing ADHD medications and consider recommending non-addictive alternatives when possible.”
The health ministry plans to expand its prescription monitoring system, currently used for fentanyl, to include ADHD medications and appetite suppressants. The system allows doctors to review patients’ medication histories before writing prescriptions. Discussions with medical associations about implementing these changes will begin next month.
Additionally, authorities will introduce measures in September to better manage the supply of appetite suppressants by predicting demand and allocating manufacturing and import quotas accordingly.
The contrasting trends in these two categories of controlled substances highlight the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical treatments in South Korea, as newer, non-narcotic alternatives gain popularity despite their higher costs. Wegovy, for instance, commands a premium price of 372,025 won per four-week supply but has seen surging demand due to its reputation as a “miracle diet drug.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
