Skyrocketing sales of obesity medications highlighted
In Portugal, obesity-fighting medications, despite their high costs and lack of government subsidies, have experienced a significant surge in demand. According to data from the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) and Health Market Research (HMR), sales increased almost twofold over the past five years, from 45,790 packages in 2019 to 119,588 in 2024.
The medications in question, which include Bupropion + Naltrexone, Liraglutide, Orlistat, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide, have been advocated by health professionals and patient associations for their role in combating obesity, which affects 15.9% of Portuguese adults, and excess weight, which affects 37.3% of the adult population.
The sales figures demonstrate a steady growth over the years. In 2019, 45,790 packages were sold, followed by 46,500 in 2020, 55,173 in 2021, 60,259 in 2022, and 82,513 in 2023. The most significant jump was observed in 2024, with a sale of 119,588 packages, representing a 44.9% increase over the previous year. As of April 2024, 111,093 packages have already been distributed.
The president of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Obesity, José Silva Nunes, emphasizes the financial barrier these medications pose for many families, calling for the sharing of their costs to make them more accessible. He laments that the most disadvantaged classes, who have a higher prevalence of obesity, face greater challenges in accessing effective treatment.
Despite the costs, Silva Nunes argues that co-participation will be beneficial in the long term in terms of cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, the president of the Portuguese Association of People Living with Obesity (ADEXO), Carlos Oliveira, contends that unequal treatment of people with the same disease amounts to discrimination by the state.
In conclusion, while obesity and pre-obesity account for an annual direct cost of 1.14 billion euros in Portugal, the lack of reimbursement for these medications remains a barrier for many seeking effective treatment. The hope is that the new government will continue the work towards co-participation and approval in 2025, ensuring more equal access to these treatments.
- In Portugal, the surge in demand for obesity-fighting medications, such as Bupropion + Naltrexone, Liraglutide, Orlistat, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide, is partially attributed to their relevance in managing chronic diseases and medical conditions.
- The president of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Obesity, José Silva Nunes, urges co-participation in the costs of these medications, suggesting that it would lead to long-term cost-effectiveness, particularly in the context of health-and-wellness initiatives like nutrition and weight-management.
- The Portuguese Association of People Living with Obesity (ADEXO), led by Carlos Oliveira, contends that the unequal treatment of people with the same disease, including the lack of government subsidies for obesity-fighting medications, amounts to discrimination and negatively impacts individual access to essential medical care.
