Norwegians Visit Doctors and Pharmacies More Often. The Numbers Reveal a Major Change
After the pandemic, there has been a clear increase in the number of young adults in Norway who are filling prescriptions. The biggest change concerns people in their early thirties. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) is investigating the reasons behind this trend.
A sudden increase has been observed since 2022.
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Data from the Norwegian drug statistics show a clear shift after 2020. Before the pandemic, medication use was stable or periodically declining. After all COVID restrictions were lifted, the rates began to rise. In 2026, a record-high proportion of people aged 20 to 44 are filling at least one prescription per year.
Post-pandemic Prescriptions Break Records. One Age Group Stands Out the Most
During the so-called lockdown in 2020, medication use dropped in all age groups from 20 to 44 years old. After the restrictions were lifted, the trend quickly reversed. The curves began to rise. Current levels are clearly higher than in 2019.
The largest increase is seen in the 30–34 age group. Medication use in this group has risen by over 13 percent. Before the pandemic, 674 out of 1,000 people filled prescriptions. Now, it is over 725 out of 1,000. In the 35–39 age group, the increase is about 7.5 percent, and in the 40–44 group, almost 6 percent.
The largest increase is seen in the 30–34 age group. Medication use in this group has risen by over 13 percent. Before the pandemic, 674 out of 1,000 people filled prescriptions. Now, it is over 725 out of 1,000. In the 35–39 age group, the increase is about 7.5 percent, and in the 40–44 group, almost 6 percent.
The shift is visible not among the oldest, but the youngest social groups in Norway.Photo: Albin Olsson, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (illustrative photo)
Norway: ADHD, Depression, and Heart Medications on the Rise
Four groups of medications stand out in the statistics. These are cardiovascular drugs, ADHD medications, antidepressants, and weight-loss aids. Among people in their 20s and 30s, the use of cardiovascular drugs has increased in some cases by nearly 60 percent. This includes beta-blockers, blood pressure medications, cholesterol drugs, and anticoagulants.
In the 30–34 age group, the percentage of people taking ADHD medications has more than tripled in six years. Currently, over 4.2 percent of Norwegians in this age group use them. The number of people aged 20–44 who fill prescriptions for depression and anxiety has increased by 36.2 percent since 2019. That’s over 145,000 young adults, 39,000 more than before the pandemic. The use of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, has also surged.
In the 30–34 age group, the percentage of people taking ADHD medications has more than tripled in six years. Currently, over 4.2 percent of Norwegians in this age group use them. The number of people aged 20–44 who fill prescriptions for depression and anxiety has increased by 36.2 percent since 2019. That’s over 145,000 young adults, 39,000 more than before the pandemic. The use of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, has also surged.
Norwegians Eagerly Visit Pharmacies and Doctor’s Offices
The increase in prescriptions goes hand in hand with a higher number of doctor visits. In 2024, there were 1.2 million more visits to general practitioners and emergency rooms than expected. According to Ståle Onsgård Sagabråten from the Norwegian Medical Association, the 7.1 percent increase in visits may explain part of the change in medication statistics.
However, the FHI points out that there may be other reasons: greater openness about mental health, more frequent help-seeking, better access to services, changes in diagnostic criteria, and changes in healthcare. The institute does not rule out the impact of further COVID-19 infections, but notes that infections alone do not explain the increase.
However, the FHI points out that there may be other reasons: greater openness about mental health, more frequent help-seeking, better access to services, changes in diagnostic criteria, and changes in healthcare. The institute does not rule out the impact of further COVID-19 infections, but notes that infections alone do not explain the increase.
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