Surge in propofol, ADHD drug prescriptions raises misuse concerns

The use of high-risk prescription drugs such as propofol and ADHD medications is climbing rapidly in South Korea, raising concerns over misuse and side effects, government data showed Wednesday. A total of 21.1 million people were prescribed narcotic-class drugs in 2025, rising steadily from 18.84 million in 2021, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The total number of prescriptions reached 1.96 billion last year, marking a 7.1 percent increase over the four-year period. Under the

18 Mar, 03:13 — 18 Mar, 07:55

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Why this matters

The increasing prescription rates of propofol and ADHD medications, particularly in South Korea, are significant due to the high potential for misuse and severe side effects associated with these drugs. This trend could indicate a growing public health issue requiring closer monitoring and intervention to prevent addiction and adverse health outcomes.

Key entitiesSouth Korea Propofol ADHD medications

The Story

What 2 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

There has been a surge in prescriptions for propofol and ADHD drugs in South Korea.
The increase in prescriptions is raising concerns about potential misuse and side effects.
Government data supports the observed increase in high-risk prescription drug use.

Key claims3 agreed

✓

The use of high-risk prescription drugs like propofol and ADHD medications is climbing rapidly in South Korea.

agreed·straits-timesKorea Herald

✓

The surge in prescriptions raises concerns over misuse and side effects.

agreed·straits-timesKorea Herald

✓

Government data showed the increase in high-risk prescription drug use.

agreed·Korea Herald

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Moderate (32/100)

2 sources— more sources would strengthen this score15/33

Spectrum spread— 2/5 buckets covered8/33

Far L

Left

Center1

Center (1)

Korea Herald

Right1

Right (1)

straits-times

Far R

Geographic diversity— 2 regions9/34

Singapore1South Korea1

ℹOnly 2 sources cover this story

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

korea-herald

straits-times

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

Korea HeraldcentercenterneutralMostly Factualneutral reporting on drug prescription trends

straits-timescentercenterneutralMostly Factualfactual reporting of health concerns

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage from both outlets is largely neutral and factual, focusing on reporting the increase in prescriptions and associated concerns without overt political framing.