ADHD drug abuse rampant as students try to enhance performance, data suggests

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ADHD drug abuse rampant as students try to enhance performance, data suggests

Published: 07 Oct. 2024, 16:38 Updated: 07 Oct. 2024, 19:16

Unrelated photo of a pharmacy [YONHAP]

Korean students are suspected of taking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication to enhance their academic performances, according to recent data.

Rep. Kim Yoon of the Democratic Party revealed data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service that showed that 27.4 percent of methylphenidate ADHD medication prescriptions made last year were not covered by medical insurance. The ratio went up to 39.2 percent in the first half of this year.

ADHD is a developmental disorder where people show persistent symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

The amount prescribed was also shown to be approximately two times higher for uncovered prescriptions than covered prescriptions, with insured patients receiving an average of 249 units per person, while uninsured patients received 545.

Combined with the fact that medical insurance does not cover medication deemed unnecessary, the phenomena can be interpreted as people who don’t have ADHD taking more methylphenidate than people with the disorder.

Methylphenidate is classified as a narcotic that stimulates the central nervous system, regulating concentration and alertness.

Although the medication can be prescribed for specific psychiatric disorders and Parkinson’s disease without insurance coverage, the enormous amounts being prescribed raise concerns about misuse. Misused methylphenidate can lead to loss of appetite, insomnia and tic disorder.

The phenomenon was found to have affected the youth the most, with 79.4 percent of total uncovered prescriptions concentrated among people in their teens to their 30s. Usage was the highest among teenagers, at 37.6 percent.

The drink concocted with methamphetamine, which was produced and distributed to students in Daechi-dong in Gangnam, eastern Seoul, last year. The picture is unrelated to the article. [SEOUL GANGNAM POLICE PRECINCT] [SEOUL GANGNAM POLICE PRECINCT]

The medication’s misuse has been largely blamed on its popularity as a so-called smart drug or concentration pill.

“Many insured prescriptions for this medication come from pediatric clinics, while psychiatric clinics often prescribe it without insurance,” one pharmacist in Seoul commented. “There is a widespread belief that the drug improves exam scores and concentration, and many people continue to misuse it after realizing it 'works for them'.”

Cases of addiction to the medication are beginning to be reported as well. A patient in their 30s was prescribed a total of 10,560 units of medication 93 times over the last year. A patient in their 20s was prescribed 8,658 units of medication across 13 medical institutions.

There are also instances of medical institutions taking advantage of the situation and over-prescribing medications. One doctor based in Gyeonggi prescribed 16,276 units of medication to three patients last year. This helped the doctor to rank first in the country for the amount of drugs prescribed per patient in the past three years.

Another problematic aspect of ADHD misuse is that the people who do need the medication to counter their disorder might not be able to get access due to shortages.

According to Rep. Kim's office, pharmaceutical company Janssen Korea, which is behind one of the most commonly used products, "Concerta 27mg," reported to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety last month that there was a temporary supply issue due to increased demand. Although supply resumed earlier this month, concerns about stability remain.

The drug ministry has sought to strengthen regulations around ADHD medication through notice revisions. The ministry strictly limited the use of methylphenidate for the treatment of ADHD or narcolepsy. The period of prescription will also be limited to three months, and non-medical prescriptions of the drug will result in doctors being banned from handling narcotics.

"There is a need for institutional improvements, including strict management of misuse and abuse, to ensure that patients who need the drug receive it promptly,” said Rep. Kim. “We have to quickly assess and check misuse of narcotics by strengthening ties between the drug ministry and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.”

BY JEONG JONG-HOON [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]