Gangnam District Leads Seoul in ADHD and Sedative Drug Prescriptions
Data show that Seoul's affluent Gangnam area accounted for the highest number of methylphenidate and propofol prescriptions last year, sparking calls for tighter oversight.
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety data, presented to Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Nam In-soon, reveal that Gangnam-gu in southern Seoul led the region with roughly 6.5 million methylphenidate tablets and 2.09 million propofol doses prescribed last year. Songpa-gu and Seocho-gu followed, together making up 21.4% of all methylphenidate tablets dispensed across Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Nationwide, ADHD drug prescriptions have more than doubled since 2020, with a notable rise among patients under 20 and a sharp increase in adults in their 20s and 30s. A psychiatrist practicing in Gangnam attributed the high prescribing rates to fierce academic competition, parental pressure for “study drugs,” and a demand for quick medical solutions among various age groups.
The same districts also topped the list for other sedatives such as midazolam and ketamine, likely due to the dense cluster of dermatology and plastic-surgery clinics. Nam called for stronger monitoring of controlled-substance prescriptions, emphasizing the need to flag repeated fills, high doses, long-term use, and prescriptions from multiple providers.
Why it matters
The concentration of ADHD and anesthetic drug prescriptions in wealthy districts raises concerns about misuse and highlights gaps in prescription oversight.
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