The FST5 Spotlight programme examined the medication prescribed to the elderly in the area of Ostrobothnia.
According to a survey by programme makers, most of the elderly are prescribed psychopharmaceuticals. However, it was found that a third of those receiving such medication, for example in Kokkola, Mustasaari and Maalahti, do not suffer from any psychiatric disorder.
Nationwide, three times as much psychiatric medication is used in the care of the elderly in Finland than in Sweden or Denmark. Most commonly, such drugs are used to sedate old people.