Only the wealthy can afford the most effective obesity drugs in Finland, doctor says

Finland’s most effective obesity medications, Wegovy and Mounjaro, are not covered by the national health insurance scheme Kela, while only the less effective Saxenda and Mysimba receive partial reimbursement, reports Yle.

A specialist in obesity treatment, internal medicine physician Jarmo Kaukua, calls the situation unequal, as only those who can pay out of pocket access the more expensive and effective drugs.

Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the widely discussed Ozempic—though approved for type 2 diabetes—are not reimbursed for obesity treatment in Finland. The Pharmaceuticals Pricing Board has rejected applications for coverage due to high costs, according to its lead pharmacist, Ulla Kurkijärvi.

“The benefits relative to the costs have not met the criteria under the National Health Insurance Act,” Kurkijärvi said.

Kela reimburses 40% of the cost for Saxenda and Mysimba, but with strict conditions. Mysimba can be prescribed without a related illness, while Saxenda requires a BMI of at least 35 with a comorbidity and a minimum 5% weight loss after 12 weeks for continued coverage.

Kaukua argues that obesity costs society billions in healthcare, lost productivity, and disability, and that broader reimbursement would improve equity in treatment. He acknowledges budget constraints but stresses that newer, more effective drugs—though costly—could reduce long-term societal costs.

“Untreated obesity is what’s truly expensive,” he said.

In practice, many patients opt to pay for the newer, more effective drugs themselves rather than use the reimbursed but less effective options. The Pricing Board evaluates reimbursement applications based on overall benefits, costs, and comparisons with other treatments and prices in EEA countries.

Two obesity drug applications are currently under review by the board.