The Rise of ADHD Treatment in South Korea

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) treatment has seen significant growth in South Korea. The increasing awareness and social interest have led to a rise in prescriptions for ADHD medications. This disorder, often seen in children, is characterized by a persistent lack of attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

Understanding ADHD

While the exact cause of ADHD remains unknown, medication helps improve symptoms in about 80% of cases. Here’s a quick overview:

Predominantly affects children but also seen in adults.
Characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, impulsivity.
Medication is an effective treatment for many.

Increasing ADHD Prescriptions

The Ministry of Health and related agencies have reported a steady increase in ADHD prescriptions:

2020: 1,493 prescriptions
2021: 1,721 prescriptions
2022: 2,050 prescriptions
2023: 2,553 prescriptions

This trend highlights a broadening understanding beyond children to include adults and even older populations.

Challenges with Imported ADHD Medication

South Korea mainly relies on imported ADHD drugs, with notable mentions being:

Concerta by Janssen (USA)
Adderall by Takeda Pharmaceutical (Japan)
Xanax by Pfizer (USA)

The heavy reliance on imports can strain accessibility, especially during supply shortages, as seen with Concerta.

Development of Domestic ADHD Treatments

Interest in homegrown solutions is growing due to:

Concerta Shortages: Supply issues push for domestic development.
SK Biopharm’s Sunosi: Originally for sleep disorders, now in global trials for adult ADHD treatment.
Digital Therapeutics: Non-drug solutions are promising given ADHD’s behavioral characteristics.

Innovations in Digital Therapeutics

Digital solutions show potential because of the nature of ADHD:

E-Motiv’s StarLUX: A game that aids in cognitive and behavioral coaching.
DragonFly’s Guardians DTx: A game-based digital therapeutic in trial stages.

Both aim to use technology to support ADHD treatment without drugs.

Growing Market for ADHD Treatments

The ADHD treatment market is expanding worldwide:

2023: Estimated at $18 billion
Growth projection: 6-7% annually until 2030

In South Korea, only 15% seek medical diagnosis due to lingering stigma, but this is changing.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Awareness is growing about the benefits of early diagnosis:

Improves learning outcomes
Helps address comorbid conditions like anxiety, depression

Changing perceptions view ADHD as a lifelong brain disorder requiring management, not just a childhood illness.

ADHD treatment in South Korea is poised for growth, with increased diagnosis and interest in domestic solutions. Better societal understanding is critical for addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities in this expanding field.