Authorities in South Korea intensify efforts to combat illegal online sales and false advertising of methylphenidate, highlighting risks of misuse among students facing exam pressures while stressing the drug’s importance as a medically prescribed treatment.
South Korea’s health authorities have stepped up warnings over methylphenidate, a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, after it was increasingly marketed online as a way to boost concentration for study. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said the medicine is being misrepresented as a “study pill” or “focus pill”, a claim officials say has fuelled misuse among students facing exam pressure.
The ministry said it has carried out special inspections targeting illegal advertising and distribution of the drug, with online posts offering methylphenidate for sale, brokerage or sharing found in large numbers. In one recent focused check, officials identified 200 such posts, while another inspection last year found 711 cases involving false advertising and illegal sales of ADHD medicines and similar products. Seoul’s recent warning also said more than 1,700 online listings tied to methylphenidate had been detected, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Officials say the risks are not limited to the law. Methylphenidate is a psychotropic medicine and should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision. For children and teenagers without ADHD, improper use can trigger headaches, anxiety and, in more serious cases, hallucinations or auditory disturbances. Health experts have also cautioned that using the drug without a proper diagnosis may expose young people to avoidable physical and psychological harm at a time when their brains are still developing.
The latest campaign reflects a broader effort by the government to counter the idea that academic performance can be chemically enhanced. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the ministries of education and gender equality and family have joined the effort by releasing short public-information videos on official social media channels to correct misconceptions about the drug and to discourage students and parents from treating it as a shortcut to better grades. The ministry has also asked relevant agencies to block websites involved in illegal sales.
Authorities have repeatedly said that buying methylphenidate without a prescription, selling it online or passing it on to others is illegal under South Korean law. Officials are especially focused on the period leading up to major school exams, when student anxiety tends to rise and illicit sellers may try to exploit that pressure. The message from regulators is clear: methylphenidate is a medical treatment for ADHD, not a study aid, and it should be used only on the basis of a proper diagnosis and a doctor’s prescription.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
