In a note published on its website, IGAS says that “by order of the IGAS Inspector General dated March 26, 2025, a clarification process was initiated following news regarding the marketing of the drug Mounjaro”.

IGAS also says that it was asked by the National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) to analyse this matter.

Contacted by Lusa, Infarmed stated that “in view of the recent news made public through the media, which contained information that could constitute bad clinical practice, among others”, it contacted the various entities responsible for monitoring these activities, namely IGAS, the Judicial Police, the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE), the Order of Physicians, among others.

In a recent report, TVI exposed a scheme involving the sale of prescriptions to obtain Mounjauro, a drug equivalent to Ozempic, and then revealed new “tricks” to obtain the medicine illegally.

In Portugal, Mounjaro, presented in injection form, is not covered by the National Health Service and can only be used with a prescription and medical supervision.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already warned that drugs like Mounjaro should not be used for weight loss for aesthetic reasons in people without obesity or weight-related health problems.

In January, Infarmed began a broad process of audits and inspections throughout the distribution circuit of antidiabetic drugs, including tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

When asked about these investigations, Infarmed responded that they are still ongoing.

This action aims to ensure that the marketing and use of these drugs are carried out in accordance with the approved indications and current legal standards.

Infarmed audits cover all stages of the drug circuit, from the manufacturer and holder of the marketing authorization, through to distributors, pharmacies and the healthcare system.

At issue is the availability of antidiabetic drugs, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide, dulaglutide, liraglutide and exenatide), which includes the injectable Ozempic, developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but which is also being used to combat obesity and to stimulate weight loss, even in people who are not obese.

Infarmed has been monitoring this availability, given the “shortage in the global market of these and other medicines in the same therapeutic group”, it said at the time in a statement.

“All of this monitoring activity is also carried out in coordination with the actions of the European Medicines Agency and with Infarmed’s similar authorities in other European Union member states,” he said.

These medicines are covered by the National Health Service only when prescribed for the management and control of 'diabetes mellitus'.