Groundbreaking Psychedelic Drugs Show Promise for Addressing Widespread Depression Struggles
In a significant development for mental health care in Portugal, the National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) has approved the utilization of esketamine, a psychedelic drug, in a hospital setting for adults with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (TRD). This approval will allow public funding for the drug, following its use in multiple European countries.
The Government's President of the Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, João Bessa, commended the decision, noting the urgent need for such a therapeutic tool for patients who have not responded to traditional antidepressants treatments. He also expressed disappointment over the delay in its approval, considering Portugal's late adoption compared to other European nations.
Specifically, Infarmed's decision, effective as of May 7, 2025, permits the use of esketamine in combination with two other antidepressants for patients who have undergone psychotherapy and have resistance or contraindications to electroconvulsive therapy or inaccessibility or refusal of such therapy. The drug is indicated for moderate to severe depressive episodes.
On the same day, a multidisciplinary working group consisting of medical, pharmaceutical, and psychological associations, along with the National Ethics Council, presented recommendations for the clinical use of psychedelics. These recommendations suggested classifying psychedelics as medicines, emphasizing the importance of careful integration and regulation within the healthcare system to pave the way for future therapies.
In summary, the approval of esketamine in Portugal addresses a pressing medical need for patients with treatment-resistant depression, providing them with a safe, regulated, and effective new treatment option under medical supervision. This decision sets a precedent for future mental health therapies in Portugal, offering renewed hope for individuals wrestling with severe depression who have not found relief through conventional treatments.
The decision made by Infarmed to approve the use of esketamine in Portugal will allow public funding for the drug, which is significant for the field of mental health care, particularly for adults with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (TRD). This approval follows the use of esketamine in multiple European countries, setting a precedent for future therapies in the country. The Government's President of the Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health, João Bessa, has commended the decision, noting the urgent need for such therapeutic tools and expressing disappointment over the delay in its approval compared to other European nations. Health-and-wellness, mental-health, and therapies-and-treatments sectors may witness increased focus due to this development, with Portugal potentially becoming a active player in the research and implementation of novel psychedelic-based treatments.
