Lisbon, May 19, 2026 (Lusa) – National Health Service (SNS) spending on medicines in Portugal reached a record €4.417 billion last year, with hospital expenditure exceeding €2.5 billion for the first time.
Hospitals spent €2.523 billion on medicines in 2025, representing an increase of €254 million (+11.2%) compared to the previous year, based on reports accessed by Lusa. The prior year had recorded the largest percentage increase on record (+15.8%).
Hospital expenditure on medicines reached €693.4 million during the first quarter of this year. This 7.6% year-on-year increase reflects access to innovative therapies, the medicines regulator, Infarmed said.
Contributions and rebates to the SNS from the pharmaceutical industry, whether under financing contracts or under the agreement with the pharmaceutical industry, will be deducted from the total value of public sector expenditure on medicines.
The SNS spent €1.893 billion subsidising outpatient medicines last year, an increase of 12.4% (+€208.4 million) in a year that saw the dispensing of 203.9 million packs.
Anti-diabetics incurred the highest subsidisation costs, with expenditure hovering around €478.9 million (+14.7% compared to 2024).
Apixaban, a substance used to prevent blood clots, recorded the highest spending increase by active ingredient, rising 70.9% to €66.6 million.
Immunomodulators, which alter immune system response, drove the largest spending increase in hospitals by international nonproprietary name, rising by €78.3 million. Cytotoxics followed with an increase of €33.4 million, while other medicines acting on the central nervous system rose by €32.8 million.
The Santa Maria Local Health Unit (ULS) in Lisbon recorded the highest expenditure on medicines at €304.9 million, followed by the Coimbra ULS (€235.9 million) and the São João ULS (€223.4 million) in Porto.
Oncology, which represents more than a third of hospital medicine expenditure, recorded the highest spending by therapeutic area, reaching €864.5 million (+16%). HIV followed with €238.2 million, while rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis accounted for €186.5 million.
Vaccines recorded the highest year-on-year expenditure variation among therapeutic areas, rising 69.8% to €85.5 million.
Hospital spending on drugs for rare diseases rose 34.1%, reaching €465 million.
Outpatient consultations and products dispensed externally hold the largest share by service area in hospitals, accounting for 42.7% at €1.076 billion (+11.2%). Day care follows at €900.4 million (+4.5%), while inpatient care represents €231.4 million (+16.1%).
However, primary healthcare saw the highest expenditure increase by service area (+66.5%), reaching €97.8 million.
The total market share of biosimilars (similar versions of a reference biological medicine whose patent has expired) in hospital care stood at 53.8%.
Regarding medical devices, Infarmed highlighted the exceptional reimbursement scheme for insulin pumps in a note released on Tuesday. The state began reimbursing these devices at 100% in 2025 for SNS beneficiaries when dispensed in pharmacies.
SO/RYOL // AYLS
Lusa
