Portugal invests €70M to combat drug shortages and secure medical supplies

The government is preparing for more severe scenarios, but on the ground, shortages are already emerging. At a pharmacy in Vila Real, the lack of certain medications has forced stricter inventory management.

"When it comes to diabetes medication, we've been operating with waiting lists for a long time. Customers are added to our lists, and when their turn comes, we contact them to pick up their prescriptions. For other medications—such as Lasix or Tromalit, for example—we're now limiting the number of boxes each patient can take to ensure a fairer distribution for everyone," explained Adriana Veiga of Farmácia da Araucária.

The investment, made under Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), will fund the centralized purchase of essential medicines and medical equipment for large-scale use in emergencies. However, at the local level, it remains unclear how this measure will be implemented in practice.

"By the time medications reach the pharmacy, the government's €70 million strategic reserve has already traveled a long and complex path—whether from laboratories or wholesalers. It's a highly complicated process that requires coordination from everyone involved, including those working behind the scenes," Veiga emphasized.

The reserve will include antibiotics, antivirals, vaccines, and other essential drugs, ensuring a rapid response in emergencies or supply chain disruptions. Portugal's stockpile will complement broader European strategies in this area.