Portugal approves cheaper generic diabetes medications

The Portuguese medicines regulator, Infarmed, has authorized the commercialization and co-payment of generic medications containing dapagliflozin. These generics are 50% cheaper than the brand-name reference drug, Forxiga, and are used to treat type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic heart failure.

The Association of Generic Medicine Users (UMG) estimates that approximately 900,000 patients with type 2 diabetes will benefit from this measure. Beyond individual savings, the association claims the shift to generics could save the National Health Service (SNS) over 45 million euros annually.

UMG has issued a strong appeal to healthcare professionals to prescribe these new generic versions of dapagliflozin rather than switching patients to other molecules that do not yet have generic alternatives, such as empagliflozin. The association emphasized that pharmacies must inform patients of all available options to ensure informed choice and cost-effectiveness.