Prescriptions of obesity medication to children surge in Sweden

The number of Swedish children receiving prescription medication for obesity has more than doubled in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the National Board of Health and Welfare’s drug registry.

As of April 2026, 1,613 patients aged 0–19 were prescribed obesity drugs, up from 618 in April 2025, reported Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Pediatrician Annika Janson, who treats severely obese children at the national childhood obesity center in Stockholm, described the new medications as a “game-changer” but warned of unequal access due to cost.

“Suddenly we have a tool that works really well,” Janson said. However, monthly pediatric doses cost over 2,500 SEK (approx. 230 EUR), and unlike most childhood medical treatments in Sweden, obesity drugs are not covered by the high-cost protection scheme. Families must either pay out of pocket, seek partial reimbursement from the Social Insurance Agency, or rely on regional funding—creating disparities in care.

Per-Henrik Zingmark, head of unit at the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV), which determines high-cost coverage, acknowledged the financial burden. “Our mandate is to maximize health benefits per tax krona. After reviewing short- and long-term effects, we concluded the cost outweighs the benefit,” he told SVT.

Janson emphasized that early intervention could prevent lifelong complications. “These children don’t have complications yet—they get them. It would be far better if they never reached that point,” she said.

Between 80,000 and 100,000 Swedish children aged 2–19 live with obesity, a chronic condition linked to liver disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, depression, and social stigma. The average age of Janson’s patients is 10, with some already developing fatty liver disease and joint problems. “Many are exhausted, sad, and bullied at school,” she noted.

Obesity in children is measured using age-adjusted iso-BMI, with thresholds set at 25 for overweight and 30 for obesity, based on international standards.