Portugal's medicine costs soar, leaving families with impossible choices

Rising living costs and the energy crisis in Europe have pushed many Portuguese residents to struggle with the cost of essential medicines. New data reveals that people in Portugal now face the highest financial burden for prescription drugs compared to neighbouring countries like Spain, France, and Italy. A 2026 study by EQUALMED, covering 2022 to 2025, shows that Portuguese households spend an average of €148.30 per year on medicines. This amounts to 0.73% of the average annual salary of €20,451—far higher than in France, where residents spend €72.70 yearly, just 0.16% of their income.

The financial strain has led to 16.1% of the population reporting difficulties affording their prescriptions. As a result, some are cutting back on other essentials to pay for medication. Others are even questioning whether to fill prescriptions at all. Despite strict price controls on drugs in Portugal, delays in approving new treatments remain a problem. In 2024, the median wait for innovative medicines reached 795 days—more than double Italy's 391-day delay. These bottlenecks, combined with affordability issues, have contributed to an estimated 1,577 preventable deaths annually.

The study highlights a growing challenge for Portugal's healthcare system. With medication costs consuming a larger share of household budgets, many face tough choices between essential treatments and other expenses. The delays in drug approvals further worsen access to critical therapies.