Fraudulent Weight-Loss Drug Claims Cost Portuguese Health Service 250 Million Euros (eco.sapo.pt)

• 250 million euros in public funds misappropriated.
• Systemic misuse of diabetes medication for off-label weight loss.
• Investigation into pharmaceutical reimbursement loopholes.

"Police in Porto have uncovered a systemic fraud involving the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS). Approximately 250 million euros in state subsidies for Type 2 diabetes medication, specifically Ozempic, were diverted through off-label prescriptions for weight loss. Authorities estimate that half of the total state expenditure on these drugs was misappropriated, highlighting significant vulnerabilities in prescription oversight and pharmaceutical reimbursement mechanisms."