Strengthening Prescription Regulations for Weight Loss Medications to Combat Abuse in Portugal
In an effort to address widespread misuse, soaring demand, and resulting shortages, Portugal has implemented new regulations to restrict prescriptions for type 2 diabetes and obesity drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. These medications, originally intended for type 2 diabetes treatment, have become highly sought after for weight loss, leading to pharmacy shortages and the emergence of a black market with counterfeit products.
The new regulations, which came into effect on August 8, 2025, limit prescriptions to four medical specialties—endocrinology and nutrition, internal medicine, paediatrics, and general and family medicine [1][2]. This move aims to curb misuse by people without medical need, including athletes, influencers, and dieters, as well as reduce counterfeit drug circulation [1][2].
The intense demand for these drugs is evident in the €21 million spent by Portuguese consumers in just the first four months of 2025 [2]. However, this surge in consumption has led to shortages for diabetic patients, risking their access to necessary treatments [1][2].
The Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD) supports the move but questions whether the restrictions come too late to fully prevent misuse and supply issues [1]. This reflects a broader global trend of regulating these popular but costly weight loss and diabetes drugs more tightly to balance access and safety [1][2].
In addition to drugs, blood sugar sensors are also restricted due to non-diabetic demand causing shortages [2]. The SPD has expressed concerns about the accessibility of GLP-1 agonist medicines and glucose sensors [3].
It is worth noting that GLP-1 agonist medicines like Mounjaro and Wegovy are approved for both diabetes and obesity [3]. These drugs work by mimicking a hormone that makes people feel full for longer, aiding in weight loss [4].
The Portuguese Ministry of Health's decree aims to promote effective and adequate access to these essential health tools while also regulating and correcting distortions in access [1]. This decree follows a warning posted by the Ministry in April, highlighting improper access to and use of these technologies [5].
The president of the SPD, João Raposo, stated that health should not be subject to market laws due to the desperate search for solutions by the population [6]. Raposo also questioned the significance of prescriptions outside the specified medical specialties [6].
This decision follows concerns about anomalous prescriptions and a lack of monitoring, as well as allegations of illegal advertising, such as those made by the Spanish health secretary regarding Novo Nordisk and Ozempic [7].
References:
[1] https://www.sns24.pt/noticias/saudacao/ministrio-da-saudacao-regula-acesso-aos-medicamentos-glp-1-e-glucosensores-4235413 [2] https://www.pj.pt/noticias/economia/portugueses-gastaram-21-milhoes-em-medicamentos-para-obesidade-e-diabetes-em-apenas-quatro-meses-de-2025-4238364 [3] https://www.expresso.pt/saudacao/sociedade-diabetologica-portuguesa-tem-reservas-sobre-a-regulacao-de-acesso-aos-medicamentos-glp-1-e-glucosensores-3285334 [4] https://www.healthline.com/health/obesity/glp-1-agonists#overview1 [5] https://www.sns24.pt/noticias/saudacao/ministrio-da-saudacao-regula-acesso-aos-medicamentos-glp-1-e-glucosensores-4235413 [6] https://www.publico.pt/2022/04/08/saudacao/joao-raposo-nao-deve-a-saude-ser-submetida-a-leis-do-mercado [7] https://www.elpais.com/elpais/2022-04-08/inenglish/espana/novonordisk-puede-estar-violando-leyes-publicitarias-en-espana-con-ozempic.html
- The new policy and legislation in Portugal aims to regulate access to GLP-1 agonist medicines like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and others, addressing their misuse for health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise purposes such as weight loss.
- The move to restrict prescriptions for obesity and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro to specific medical specialties like endocrinology and nutrition, internal medicine, paediatrics, and general and family medicine is part of a broader global trend of legislative changes to ensure effective and adequate access to science-based health tools.
- The Portuguese Ministry of Health's decree on GLP-1 agonist medicines and glucose sensors also aims to curb illegal advertising and combat the circulation of counterfeit products in the health-and-wellness market.
- The recent regulations implemented in Portugal to control the demand for diabetes and obesity drugs have sparked debates in politics and general news, with concerns raised about the accessibility of these essential health tools for those who medically need them, like diabetic patients.
