MFDS to Crack Down on Misuse of ADHD Medications Ahead of CSAT

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is launching a focused crackdown on ADHD medications, which are falsely known as "studying drugs," ahead of next month's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT).

The inspection will run from the 19th of this month to November 18, the day before the CSAT.

Together with local governments, the MFDS plans to investigate medical institutions with high prescription volumes of methylphenidate.

The MFDS plans to conduct expert reviews on cases suspected of handling methylphenidate for purposes other than official business, and will request investigations if it is determined that there is no validity.

In addition, if violations are confirmed, it plans to request administrative dispositions from local governments.

The MFDS will also check for illegal online posts promoting methylphenidate as "studying drugs" or "concentration pills."

The MFDS previously cracked down on and caught 1,882 illegal posts during crackdowns in May and August.

Methylphenidate is a psychotropic drug, and individuals who take it without a prescription may suffer side effects such as insomnia, decreased appetite, and headaches.

In the first half of this year, the prescription volume of methylphenidate reached 58.05 million units, an increase of 12.1% compared to the same period last year.

Among them, prescriptions for individuals aged 19 and under accounted for about half, totaling 28.81 million units.

(Photo: Provided by Getty Images Bank, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.