Good Study Medicine: The Amazing Thing That Happens
- Prescriptions for ADHD medication, often referred to as studying medicine, have increased significantly in recent years, particularly in the Daechi-dong academy district of Seoul.
- Data from the Ministry of Food adn Drug Safety indicates a substantial rise in the prescription of methylphenidate, a common ADHD treatment.
- In terms of volume, prescriptions totaled 90,197,000 tablets last year, also 2.4 times higher than the 37,709,000 tablets prescribed in 2020.
ADHD Medication Use Surges Among Students in Seoul’s academy District
Table of Contents
- ADHD Medication Use Surges Among Students in Seoul’s academy District
- ADHD Medication Trends in Seoul’s Academy District: A Q&A
- What is the current trend in ADHD medication prescriptions in South Korea?
- Why is ADHD medication use increasing, especially among students in Seoul?
- Who is the primary demographic for ADHD medication use?
- What is the impact of this increased demand on the availability of ADHD medication?
- What are the alternative medical treatments for appetite suppressant in South Korea?
- Comparison of Prescription Trends: ADHD medication vs.Appetite Suppressants
Prescriptions for ADHD medication, often referred to as studying medicine,
have increased significantly in recent years, particularly in the Daechi-dong academy district of Seoul.
Data from the Ministry of Food adn Drug Safety indicates a substantial rise in the prescription of methylphenidate, a common ADHD treatment. Last year, approximately 338,000 patients received prescriptions for this drug, marking a 40.4% increase (57,000 patients) from the previous year’s 281,000. This figure represents a 2.4-fold increase compared to 2020,when tracking of these trends began.
In terms of volume, prescriptions totaled 90,197,000 tablets last year, also 2.4 times higher than the 37,709,000 tablets prescribed in 2020.
Factors Contributing to the Rise
The growing number of patients seeking ADHD treatment is attributed to increased public awareness of ADHD symptoms in adolescents, fueled by television programs and easier access to mental health resources.
Demographics of ADHD Medication Users
Teenagers constitute the largest group of patients receiving ADHD prescriptions, accounting for 153,031 individuals. Those in their 20s represent 25.9% of patients, followed by individuals in their 30s (17.1%), 40s (6.3%), and 50s (2.3%).
The increased demand for ADHD medication, driven by the belief that it enhances concentration, has led to supply shortages for some treatments, such as jansen’s Concerta, in South Korea. In Daechi-dong, known for its concentration of private education institutions, ADHD medication is increasingly viewed as a focus-enhancing
aid.
Decline in Appetite Suppressant Use
Conversely, the number of patients prescribed appetite suppressants decreased to 1.11 million last year, a 3.8% drop (43,000 patients) from the previous year’s 1,144,000. This decline has been ongoing since 2020, with a total reduction of 15.9% (208,000 patients) from 1.39 million.
Shift Towards Choice Obesity Treatments
The decrease in appetite suppressant prescriptions is believed to be linked to the growing popularity of alternative obesity treatments like Saxenda and Hugi, which are non-addictive and known for their appetite-suppressing effects. Despite its cost of 372,025 won per pen (4 weeks), Hugi has seen a surge in demand, earning it the nickname miracle diet medicine.
ADHD Medication Trends in Seoul’s Academy District: A Q&A
What is the current trend in ADHD medication prescriptions in South Korea?
Prescriptions for ADHD medication, particularly methylphenidate, have surged in South Korea, with a significant increase observed in recent years. Last year, approximately 338,000 patients received prescriptions, a 40.4% increase from the previous year. This represents a 2.4-fold increase compared to 2020 when tracking of these trends began. Prescription volumes also increased by 2.4 times, totaling 90,197,000 tablets last year compared to 37,709,000 in 2020.
Why is ADHD medication use increasing, especially among students in Seoul?
Several factors contribute to the rise in ADHD medication use. Increased public awareness of ADHD symptoms in adolescents, fueled by television programs and easier access to mental health resources, has led to more diagnoses and treatment. In the Daechi-dong academy district of Seoul,ADHD medication is increasingly viewed as a “focus-enhancing” aid among students,driving demand.
Who is the primary demographic for ADHD medication use?
Teenagers are the largest group receiving ADHD prescriptions,accounting for 153,031 individuals. Other significant demographics include those in their 20s (25.9% of patients), 30s (17.1%), 40s (6.3%), and 50s (2.3%).
What is the impact of this increased demand on the availability of ADHD medication?
The increased demand for ADHD medication has led to supply shortages for some treatments, such as Janssen’s Concerta, in South Korea.
What are the alternative medical treatments for appetite suppressant in South Korea?
there has been a decrease in the prescription of appetite suppressants. This has been attributed to the growing popularity of alternative obesity treatments like Saxenda and Hugi. Hugi, despite its cost, has seen a surge in demand.
Comparison of Prescription Trends: ADHD medication vs.Appetite Suppressants
| category | 2020 | Previous year | Last year | Change from Previous Year | Change from 2020 |
| ————————- | —————————– | —————————– | —————————– | ————————– | ————————- |
| ADHD Medication Patients | 281,000 (Tracking began) | 281,000 | 338,000 | +40.4% (57,000 patients) | +2.4-fold increase |
| ADHD Tablets | 37,709,000 | N/A | 90,197,000 | N/A | +2.4-fold increase |
| Appetite Suppressant Patients | 1,390,000 | 1,144,000 | 1,110,000 | -3.8% (-43,000 patients) | -15.9% (-280,000 patients) |