MFDS: "There Is No Such Thing as a Study Enhancement Drug"... Preventing ADHD Medication Misuse

Over 1,700 Cases of Illegal Online Sales and Brokering Detected

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has issued a warning regarding the misuse of methylphenidate, an ADHD medication that is erroneously known as a “study enhancement drug.”

On the 2nd, the day of the September mock test for the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees at Bangsan High School in Songpa-gu, Seoul, are reviewing their exam papers. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

On the 28th, the Ministry announced that it will release promotional shorts to correct misconceptions and prevent the misuse of methylphenidate. These videos will be posted on the official YouTube channels of various ministries, including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Methylphenidate is a medical narcotic used to treat ADHD. However, misconceptions persist among students and parents, who refer to it as a “study enhancement drug” or “focus booster,” leading to concerns about non-medical use.

To address this, the three ministries jointly produced a video containing the message, “There is no such thing as a study enhancement drug.” Actors Seo Younghee and Kim Taeyoung each appear in the video, discussing common misconceptions about methylphenidate that parents and students may encounter in everyday life, and providing guidance that methylphenidate is a medicine for treating disease and on proper usage.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, if an individual without ADHD or related disorders takes methylphenidate, side effects such as headaches, anxiety, and in severe cases, hallucinations, may occur. Purchasing methylphenidate through social networking services or taking medication obtained from someone else without a doctor’s prescription could result in legal penalties under relevant laws and regulations.

Illegal online distribution is also continuing. In special inspections carried out twice this year, in May and August, the Ministry uncovered a total of 1,733 cases of illegal online sales or brokering of methylphenidate. For the detected posts, the Ministry requested site blocking and other measures from the Korea Communications Standards Commission and related agencies.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also plans to conduct another special online inspection targeting methylphenidate and other high-profile pharmaceuticals in October, ahead of the College Scholastic Ability Test.

Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated, “Methylphenidate is not a medicine for improving academic performance, but a medical narcotic for treating disease. I hope that students and parents will be able to make informed, proper choices based on accurate information.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.