Number of prescriptions for ``injections that make you taller'' increased by 3.5 times... ``abnormal cases'' increased by 5 times = South Korea

In South Korea, the number of cases of people complaining of abnormal symptoms after receiving growth hormone injections, also known as ``tallness injections,'' is increasing every year. Experts say, ``Growth hormone injections are medically problematic for growth.''
It is inappropriate to use this drug for cosmetic purposes as it is prescribed to certain patients." On the 28th, Shin Hyun-young, a member of the South Korean National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee of the Democratic Party of Japan, conducted a health insurance review.
According to data obtained from the Evaluation Board, the number of prescriptions for growth hormone injections will be 190,01 in 2022, an increase of 3.5 times from 2018 (50,575).
Additionally, from 2018 to June 2023, there were 695,503 prescriptions for growth hormone injections.
Of these, the number of prescriptions prescribed at advanced general hospitals was the highest at 49.5% (344,193).
In order, general hospitals accounted for 35.5% (246,624 cases), hospital-class cases accounted for 10.2% (71,089 cases), and clinic-class cases accounted for 4.8% (33,597 cases).
By age, prescriptions for those aged 10 to 14 were the most common at 55.1% (383,331 cases), followed by those aged 5 to 9 at 40.0% (278,355 cases), 15 to 19 years old.
Ages accounted for 2.7% (18,883 cases), and those under 5 years accounted for 2.1% (14,934 cases). On the other hand, as prescriptions for growth hormone injections have increased, the number of cases complaining of ``side effects'' has also increased.
According to documents obtained by Rep. Shin from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the number of reported cases increased fivefold from 320 in 2018 to 1,604 in 2022. 2018 to 2023
A total of 5,368 abnormal cases have been reported up to September. Abnormal cases include "systemic disorders and bleeding/pain at the injection site," "nervous system disorders such as headaches and dizziness," and "nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, and discomfort."
The main reported problems include gastrointestinal disorders, skin tissue disorders such as rash and itching, etc. However, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, ``A causal relationship between these side effects and growth hormone injections has not been confirmed.''
No,” he explained. Experts advised, ``Growth hormone injections are a treatment used for patients with growth problems, and it is not appropriate to administer them to children who are growing normally.''
Congressman Shin said, ``In some clinics, growth hormone injections are called ``injections that make you taller,'' and they are being misused senselessly,'' adding, ``The government should investigate the actual situation on the ground and develop countermeasures.
We must end the vicious cycle of medical abuse."