Surgeons Contest Exclusion From Prescribing Subsidised Obesity Drugs

The Portuguese Society for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery (Sociedade Portuguesa de Cirurgia da Obesidade e Doenças Metabólicas or SPCO) is contesting rules that exclude specialized bariatric surgeons from prescribing state-subsidised weight-loss medication. A ministerial order (portaria) published on 22 October created a special co-payment regime (regime especial de comparticipação) to make anti-obesity drugs more affordable. While welcoming the subsidy, the SPCO urged the government to expand prescribing rights to surgical specialists directly treating severe obesity.