23.10.2026
Industries: Health, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals
Ministerial Order Regulating the Reimbursement of Medicines for the Treatment of Obesity Published
Ministerial Order No. 464/2026/1 (“Order”) was published on 22 October, establishing a special public reimbursement scheme for prescription medicines intended for the treatment of obesity within the National Health Service.
The publication of the Order follows the establishment of the National Programme for the Prevention and Management of Obesity and the implementation of the Integrated Care Pathway for People with Obesity (“PCIPO”), as provided for in Order No. 13066/2025, of 30 October, issued by the Secretary of State for Health.
The Order implements a specific framework for access to pharmacological therapies for the non-surgical treatment of obesity, under the legal framework established by the National Health Technology Assessment System, approved by Decree-Law No. 118/2026, of 17 June.
The new scheme applies exclusively to prescription medicinal products intended for the treatment of obesity that have obtained a favourable reimbursement decision.
The medicines covered will be reimbursed under reimbursement tier D, corresponding to 15% of the price of the relevant medicine or its reference price, if applicable.
Reimbursement is subject to compliance with the following specific requirements:
- Medicinal products must be prescribed to National Health Service beneficiaries with an active medical record who are receiving care in accordance with the PCIPO;
- Patients must be followed by the Non-Surgical Hospital Care Unit of the Multidisciplinary Obesity Team at their respective Local Health Unit;
- Treatment must form part of a multidisciplinary approach that includes nutritional intervention, a physical activity plan and psychological intervention;
- Prescription is restricted to medical specialists in endocrinology, internal medicine or paediatrics who are members of the Hospital Care Unit of the EMO at the respective local health unit.
Reimbursement of these medicinal products is limited to a period of 12 months, starting from the date of the first dispensing. Prescription renewals will depend on periodic patient assessments to verify whether the therapeutic objectives established for each patient are being achieved.
As regards dispensing, medicinal products covered by this scheme may only be dispensed through community pharmacies and must be prescribed electronically.
The Ministerial Order will enter into force and take effect 120 days after its publication, allowing time for the necessary adjustments to be made to implement the new scheme.
