Denmark spends less on medicine than in other European countries

A response from the Ministry of the Interior and Health confirms that Denmark – compared to other European countries – has lower medical expenses per inhabitant, according to Danish pharm trade group Lif.

In both Greece and Portugal, more money is spent on medicine per per capita than in Denmark. This appears from a response from the Ministry of the Interior and Health. The calculation is based on OECD figures from 2022, which also document that in Denmark a smaller part of GDP is spent on medicine in 2022 compared to 2010.

"It is not new to us that Danish medical expenses are very low. On the contrary, it is something we have pointed to for years. But that is precisely why we are pleased that the government is now also helping to clear up the misunderstandings that have been around medicine costs," says Ida Sofie Jensen, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association Lif.