A recent mapping by the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden has revealed that a significant portion of diabetes and obesity medications, such as Ozempic, are being prescribed to individuals without a diagnosis for either condition.

Approximately one-sixth of these medications are being dispensed to people without diabetes, with demand surging after celebrities in the USA started using them for weight loss.

The surge in demand has prompted the Swedish Medical Products Agency to advise doctors against prescribing diabetes medication for weight loss due to shortages affecting chronically ill patients.

Notably, the majority of these prescriptions without subsidy are coming from a few clinics in Skåne, which account for 60% of such prescriptions.

This has raised concerns about the appropriate use of these medications and their availability for patients genuinely in need.