In 2025, the Finnish social insurance institution Kela reported that medication reimbursements increased to 1.98 billion euros, representing a 79 million euro rise or approximately 4% compared to the previous year. This trend highlights that the total reimbursement has been consistently growing over the past few years, with a notable increase of 124 million euros, or 7%, recorded in 2024. Such increases in reimbursements can be attributed to multiple factors, including a higher number of patients utilizing new and costly drugs, broader usage of medications, and the introduction of new drugs into the reimbursement scheme.

Despite the overall growth in costs, Kela noted that some factors have helped to mitigate these expenses. For instance, the ongoing price competition among medications and the adoption of more affordable biological drugs have contributed to controlling costs. These dynamics emphasize the balancing act that healthcare systems like Kela face; while demand for new therapies rises, they must also manage expenditures to ensure sustainability within the healthcare framework.

This increase in medication reimbursements not only reflects changes in healthcare practices and advancements in medication but also poses implications for healthcare financing in Finland. As the population ages and more expensive treatment options become available, there may be continued pressure on Kela to adjust its policies and financial strategies to accommodate these evolving healthcare needs while maintaining affordability for patients and sustainability in the long run.