The use of obesity medications in Finland surged by 43% in 2025, with approximately 108,000 people purchasing these drugs, primarily driven by the increasing uptake of semaglutide.
In Finland, the usage of obesity medications has seen a dramatic increase, with about 108,000 individuals purchasing these treatments in 2025, marking a 43% rise from the previous year. This surge is mainly attributed to the widespread adoption of semaglutide, a medication that patients are often required to pay for out-of-pocket. Comparatively, in 2020, only around 7,000 people utilized obesity drugs, indicating a staggering sixteen-fold increase in just five years.
In 2024, semaglutide emerged as the most sold medication in Finland, with nearly 90,000 people acquiring it specifically for obesity treatment. The most recognized product containing semaglutide is Ozempic, which has increasingly become a staple in obesity management regimens. While there is a growing interest in new obesity medications such as tirzepatide, their user numbers remain significantly lower than those of semaglutide.
With the rapid rise in the use of obesity medications, health experts underscore the importance of complementing drug therapy with sustained lifestyle modifications. According to Pia Pajunen, a specialist physician from Kela, it is essential that long-term lifestyle interventions form an integral part of any obesity treatment plan to ensure holistic care for individuals struggling with obesity.
