Draft Resolution on Enteral Nutrition Access

Following the efforts made in Portugal by the ONCA campaign, a detailed Draft Resolution on Enteral Nutrition Access was published on the 7th of September 2022 by the Left Block Party (BE). The document gives context regarding Disease-related Malnutrition as a public health issue and it includes different patient testimonials (Crohn’s disease, ALS, and Cancer).

The Draft Resolution proposes that the Assembly of the Republic recommends to the Portuguese Government the following:

1. Publication of the reimbursement model for malnourished outpatient: 100% for Oral Nutritional Supplements and Tube Feeding Formulas.
2. That the reimbursement model includes all the diseases and clinical situations already published in Annex II of the National Clinical Standard “Implementation of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition for Adult Outpatient” from the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) published on 25/09/2020, without prejudice to other cases that may be considered.
3. Nutritional formulas are dispensed at the pharmacy that is most convenient for the user and chosen by the user.

Present day

On the 24th of November 2022, the proposal for the study of the technical and financial viability of implementing the reimbursement modal scheme for enteral and parenteral nutrition for outpatients was approved unanimously, on the Portuguese State Budget 2023.

Next steps: 

Continue the direct negotiations with the Portuguese Ministry of Health, which is now appointing a new Minister of Health, and other relevant stakeholders in order to ensure that equitable access to enteral and parenteral nutrition will be a reality soon.

You can follow the Proposal’s progress via this link