In an interview with Jornal de Notícias, Professor Mariana Monteiro — General Coordinator of the UMIB and Vice-President of the Portuguese Society of Diabetology (SPD) — raised concerns about the ongoing shortage of diabetes medications, including Ozempic, in Portugal.
In light of these supply disruptions, she emphasized the need to prioritize diabetic patients when accessing medication at pharmacies. “It is essential to ensure that these patients have priority access when purchasing their medicines,” she stated.
Ozempic, although developed to treat type 2 diabetes, has also become widely used off-label for weight loss, further straining supply In Portugal, Ozempic is only reimbursed by the National Health Service (SNS) for patients with type 2 diabetes who also have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35.
Professor Mariana Monteiro highlighted that when diabetic patients cannot access their regular treatment, it can lead to long periods of poor blood sugar control — known as decompensation — which “can have serious consequences for their health.”
This situation underscores the need for policies that protect access to essential medications for those who rely on them most.