Doctors warn limits on diabetes sensors and drugs

The Ordem dos Médicos warns that a 2025 portaria that set the cost-sharing regime has restricted prescriptions of certain diabetes medications and glucose sensors to specialists, creating “unnecessary barriers” and organisational strain in an already pressured system, Público and Correio da Manhã report. The medical body says limiting prescriptions to specialists in areas such as endocrinology and nutrition risks delaying access for patients who now must see specific consultants. Patients using sensors or new diabetes drugs should check plans with their GP and diabetes care team about local referral routes. Those managing diabetes in Portugal should monitor guidance from their clinic or health centre.

Update: Ordinance No. 170/2025/1 cited in warning

Diário de Notícias and Público identify the measure as Ordinance No. 170/2025/1, saying it confines prescriptions for certain glucose sensors and newer diabetes drugs to a narrow set of specialties (including endocrinology and nutrition), which the Ordem dos Médicos says could delay access and create organisational strain even if the rule aims to control spending.

Context & Explainers

The Order of Physicians (Ordem dos Médicos) is Portugal’s professional body that registers and regulates medical doctors, sets ethical standards, and can discipline members. For patients and doctors it matters because the order issues practice licences, issues guidance on clinical matters and often speaks publicly about prescription rules and healthcare policies.

Endocrinology (endocrinologia) is the medical specialty that diagnoses and treats hormone-related conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders and pituitary problems. It matters for expats because endocrinologists manage long-term conditions like diabetes and decide treatments such as insulin, glucose sensors and specialist medications.

The Ordem dos Médicos is Portugal’s professional medical association that registers doctors, enforces ethical rules and can discipline members. It issues formal opinions and can challenge health policies or laws, so its objections matter when a programme like the Waitlist Recovery Programme changes how patients are referred or treated.

A portaria (ministerial order) is a government regulation issued by a ministry that sets the detailed rules needed to apply a law. Because portarias can change how policies operate without a new law, a portaria tied to the Waitlist Recovery Programme can quickly alter referral or hospital procedures.