Portugal to subsidize obesity medications by 15%

The Portuguese government has published a decree establishing a 15% state subsidy for specific obesity medications, effective February 2027. To qualify, patients must be part of an integrated care pathway (PCIPO) and receive treatment from multidisciplinary obesity teams within Local Health Units (ULS).

Prescriptions must be issued by specialists in endocrinology, internal medicine, or pediatrics. The subsidy is limited to a 12-month period from the first dispensing to allow for therapeutic evaluation. The program requires a multidisciplinary approach, including nutritional intervention, physical activity planning, and psychological support.

The measure has faced significant criticism from medical professionals and patient advocacy groups. The Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF) warned that excluding primary care physicians from prescribing could restrict access and overwhelm hospital consultations. Similarly, the Association of Obese and Former Obese Patients (Adexo) argued that a 15% subsidy is insufficient for many patients, noting that other European nations provide much higher levels of support, such as 50% to 100%.