Obesity surgeons excluded from new reimbursement

The Portuguese Society of Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Diseases (SPCO) welcomed the inclusion of obesity medications in the reimbursement scheme but called for a revision of the decree that limits prescription rights to certain specialists. The decree, published on October 22, 2026, recognizes obesity as a chronic disease and improves patient access to treatment options. However, SPCO expressed concern that only endocrinologists, internists, and pediatricians can prescribe these medications, excluding specialized surgeons from the process. They argue that surgical and pharmacological treatments should be complementary and that all qualified specialists should have prescription rights. SPCO urges the Ministry of Health to revise the decree to include general surgeons specialized in obesity treatment in multidisciplinary teams, ensuring comprehensive patient care.