Infarmed temporarily restricts exports of 52 medicines to protect Portuguese supply
Portugal's medicines regulator has temporarily prohibited parallel export and distribution outside Portugal for 52 medicines considered at risk of shortage.
Archived after its publication day. Search retains this original briefing for background and accountability.
Archived 12 September 2026The measure protects domestic availability; it does not mean every listed medicine is unavailable at every pharmacy. Never change treatment without clinical advice.
- The list includes medicines used in mental health, pain, infection and cancer care.
- Quetiapine is among the medicines named in current reporting.
- The restriction concerns export and distribution, not a patient instruction to stop or substitute treatment.
A supply-protection measure
Infarmed has placed 52 presentations on its temporary export-restriction list after assessing availability in the Portuguese market. The regulator can restrict parallel trade where stock leaving Portugal could aggravate a shortage.
A medicine's presence on the list is evidence of a supply concern, not proof that every strength, brand or pharmacy is out of stock. Availability can differ by presentation and location.
What to do if a medicine is difficult to obtain
Contact the dispensing pharmacy early and ask whether the exact medicine can be ordered. If it cannot, speak to the prescriber or pharmacist about a clinically appropriate route rather than changing the dose, stopping treatment or buying from an unverified seller.
For urgent clinical deterioration, use the appropriate health service. Report suspected illegal online supply or misleading medicine claims through official channels.
What you can do now.
- 01
Check the exact medicine and presentation with a pharmacy.
- 02
Ask the prescriber or pharmacist before any substitution or treatment change.
- 03
Use Infarmed's availability information for the current official position.
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