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The use of ADHD medication in Finland has nearly tripled in five years, according to new data from the Social Insurance Institution (Kela). In 2024, over 115,000 people received reimbursement for ADHD drugs, with total compensation for these medicines reaching €27 million—an increase of 20% from the previous year.
Kati Sarnola, a senior researcher at Kela, said the rise reflects an increase in diagnoses of ADHD and other attention disorders.
“ADHD and other attention deficit disorders are being diagnosed more often these days, and this is reflected in the increased use of medication,” she said.
The sharp increase has sparked debate over potential overdiagnosis and whether medication is always the most appropriate treatment.
“There has been a lot of discussion about whether some patients might benefit from other forms of support instead of medication,” Sarnola told Yle.
The figures were part of a broader Kela report on pharmaceutical spending in Finland. A total of €4.1 billion worth of medicines were sold in the country in 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year. Of these, €2.6 billion were covered by health insurance, with Kela reimbursing €1.9 billion.
The growth in reimbursements has accelerated in recent years, driven by the introduction of newer, more expensive drugs and an ageing population. More than a third of all reimbursements went toward cancer and immune-response medications.
Sarnola noted that pharmaceutical compensation had returned to pre-pandemic growth levels after a period of slower increases.
“We are now seeing reimbursement growth at the pace we had before the COVID years,” she said.
The surge in ADHD medication use has drawn particular attention, with experts questioning whether all cases require pharmaceutical treatment.
“We need to consider whether we are medicating patients who might also benefit from lighter forms of support for everyday life,” Sarnola said.
Despite the concerns, the increasing number of ADHD diagnoses suggests a growing awareness of the condition and improved access to treatment. However, health authorities are likely to continue monitoring the trend to ensure that medication use remains appropriate.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
