"Full from Medications"... One in Four Aged 45 and Older Takes 5 to 9 Drugs

26% Take 5–9 Medications, Nearly 18% Take 10 or More
Chronic Diseases Rising Amid Aging Population
Greater Need for Managing Side Effects and Medication Use

One in four patients aged 45 and older is taking five or more medications for an extended period. The proportion of those prescribed ten or more medications is also approaching 18%. As the number of 'polypharmacy' patients—those taking multiple medications simultaneously—increases, concerns are rising over potential side effects and the need for better medication management.

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On April 16, Yonhap News reported these findings, citing 'Healthcare Quality' statistics submitted by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

According to the data, as of 2024, 26.0% of patients aged 45 and older were chronically prescribed between five and nine medications. This rate of polypharmacy has steadily increased from 23.5% in 2020, so that now one in four middle-aged and older adults is taking several medications at the same time. The rate was slightly higher among women (26.6%) compared to men (25.4%).

Notably, 17.6% of patients were prescribed ten or more medications concurrently. This proportion has risen each year—from 13.9% in 2021, to 15.6% in 2022, and 17.0% in 2023—approaching the 18% level.

Here, 'chronic prescription' refers to being prescribed medications for 90 days or more per year, or receiving prescriptions more than four times annually. Short-term prescriptions, such as antibiotics or dermatological treatments, are excluded from these statistics.

The increase in polypharmacy is largely driven by a rise in chronic diseases. According to the National Health Insurance Service, as of June 2025, 1,717,000 patients with at least one chronic illness such as hypertension or diabetes took ten or more types of medications for at least 60 days. This figure represents an increase of more than 50% compared to 2020.

Aging is also identified as a key factor. According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) statistics, in 2021, the rate of polypharmacy among Koreans aged 75 and older (defined as those prescribed five or more medications for 90 days or more, or over four times per year) was 64.2%, significantly higher than the OECD average of 50.1%.

The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service emphasized the need for systematic management, stating, "When a patient takes multiple medications at the same time, it increases the risk of adverse drug reactions and non-adherence to medication."

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