ADHD Drug Prescriptions in Korea Rise Nearly 38% in Two Years
Methylphenidate prescriptions reached 58.05 million tablets in the first half of 2026, with people aged 19 and younger accounting for roughly half of the total as authorities warn against nonmedical use.
Prescriptions for methylphenidate, a controlled medicine commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, rose sharply in South Korea over the past two years, government data showed Sunday. The increase has renewed concern that the drug is being sought not only for legitimate treatment but also as a supposed aid to concentration and academic performance.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management said 58.05 million methylphenidate tablets were prescribed during the first half of 2026. That was 12.1 percent more than in the same period last year and 37.8 percent above the 42.13 million tablets prescribed in the first half of 2024.
Young people accounted for a particularly large share. Patients aged 19 and younger received 28.81 million tablets in the first six months of this year, representing about half of all prescriptions. Within that age group, males received 20.9 million tablets and females received 7.91 million. Prescriptions for males aged 19 and younger have climbed steadily, from 15.78 million tablets in the first half of 2024 to 18.73 million in the same period of 2025.
The number of patients receiving the medicine has also increased. About 225,000 people were prescribed methylphenidate in June, up by 35,000 from the same month a year earlier. Methylphenidate can only be obtained legally in Korea with a doctor's prescription because it is classified as a controlled medical substance.
Health authorities are focusing on the risk that the medicine may be misused as a so-called study drug. The belief that it can improve concentration among people without a clinical need has circulated among some students and parents, adding pressure for stronger monitoring of prescribing practices and illegal distribution.
Authorities are also targeting online sales. Inspections conducted in May and August identified 1,733 online posts that offered methylphenidate for sale or helped facilitate illegal transactions. Officials have been stepping up public warnings about unauthorized purchases and the health risks of taking controlled medication without proper diagnosis and supervision.
The figures underscore the challenge of ensuring access for patients who need ADHD treatment while preventing diversion and nonmedical use. Medical oversight remains central because appropriate dosage and follow-up depend on an individual diagnosis, and the medicine can carry risks when used improperly.