Statistics on dispensed medicines reimbursable under the National Health Insurance scheme (OFS)
The statistics on dispensed medicines reimbursable under the National Health Insurance scheme are based on medicine purchases reimbursed at the pharmacy.
The statistics cover data on dispensations of reimbursable medicines, the costs associated with them, and the reimbursements potentially paid for them.
Latest release
12.6.2025
In 2024, total medicine sales amounted to EUR 4 billion with an increase of 5% (EUR 188 million) from the previous year. Compared with 2023, sales of over-the-counter medicines fell by 2% while sales to hospitals and other institutions grew by 1%. However, the sale of prescription medicines rose by 7%, which marks a much larger increase compared to previous years (e.g. 2% in 2023). Antidiabetic semaglutide took first place on the list of best-selling medicines (measured in euros) for the first time as its use in the treatment of obesity has become more prevalent.
Reimbursable medicines were purchased for a total amount of EUR 2.5 billion while Kela paid out a total of EUR 1.9 billion in reimbursements for medicine costs. This translates into an increase of 6% (EUR 106 million) on the previous year. The increase was significantly higher compared to previous years, as expenditure grew by 1% in 2023 and by 3% in 2022.
Altogether EUR 380 million of all reimbursements for medicine costs were paid for medicines reimbursed at the basic rate, which marks an increase of 9% from 2023. On the other hand, Kela’s expenditure on reimbursements for medicines reimbursed at a special rate of reimbursement amounted to a total of EUR 1,224 million. Of this sum, the expenditure on medicines reimbursed at the higher special rate was EUR 742 million and EUR 482 million on medicines reimbursed at the lower special rate. Kela’s expenditure on reimbursements for medicines reimbursed at the higher special rate grew by 7% while its expenditure on reimbursements for medicines reimbursed at the lower special rate remained almost on level with the previous year (an increase of 1% from 2023).
The increase in the total expenditure on reimbursements and especially on reimbursements paid at the higher special rate is significantly impacted by the uptake of new and more expensive medicines.
Finnish statistics on medicines 2024 (julkari.fi)
Statistical publications
- Finnish Statistics on Medicines
- Kela Statistical Yearbook
- Pocket Statistics
- Kela’s statistics in charts
Statistical Database Kelasto
Click the link to generate a dynamic and editable report from the database.
How to work with reports in Kelasto.
- Dispensations reimbursable under the NHI scheme
- Reimbursements of medicine expenses: Number of recipients and prescription data
- Filled prescriptions of reimbursable medicines according to prescriber 2020–
Additional information
Contact information
Mari Ahola
Otto Kontio
Lauri Manninen
tilastot@kela.fi
