United Medical Clinic (UMC) is registered with the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) as a prescribing centre for biologic medicines in rheumatology and dermatology. Our rheumatologist Dr. Vasco Romão (Lisbon) and our dermatologist Dr. Ana Brasileiro (Lisbon and Porto) can prescribe biologic therapy when it is indicated. If the prescription meets the criteria of the SNS exceptional reimbursement regime, you receive the medicine free of charge at an SNS hospital pharmacy. A specialist consultation costs €120, no referral from a family doctor is needed, and we work with all Portuguese and international insurance providers.
Conditions Covered by the SNS Regime
Under Portaria n.º 261/2024/1, biologic medicines prescribed at UMC can be dispensed free of charge through the SNS for:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- axial spondyloarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis;
- psoriatic arthritis;
- polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis;
- plaque psoriasis.
Other conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, or chronic urticaria, are not covered by this regime. If you have one of them, the doctor will discuss the available treatment options with you.
Our Doctors
- Dr. Vasco Romão, Lisbon. Consultant rheumatologist at ULS Santa Maria and Assistant Professor of Rheumatology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, with a PhD in rheumatology and 78 peer-reviewed publications. He treats rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases in adults. Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian.
- Dr. Ana Brasileiro, Lisbon and Porto. Dermatologist and venereologist with more than 15 years of experience. At Hospital de Santo António dos Capuchos, she runs specialized outpatient clinics for psoriasis and chronic urticaria, and she is a member of the Portuguese Psoriasis Group. She sees adults and children. Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, and German.
If you prefer another language, a medical coordinator can interpret during the visit free of charge.
How It Works
- You book a consultation with Dr. Romão or Dr. Brasileiro. No referral is needed.
- The doctor assesses your condition, reviews your previous treatment, and decides whether biologic therapy is indicated.
- Before you start, you have tests to rule out certain infections, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis, and the doctor checks your vaccination status.
- The doctor issues an electronic prescription.
- You collect the medicine at the pharmacy of the SNS hospital nearest to your home. The hospital's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (CFT) may ask the doctor for additional clinical information before dispensing it.
- Our specialist continues to follow you up, monitors the results, and adjusts the treatment when needed.
What Is Free and What You Pay For
Under the regime, the medicine itself is free of charge. To receive it through the SNS, you need an SNS user number (número de utente), which gives access to free care in the Portuguese National Health Service.
Consultations, tests, and diagnostics at UMC are paid separately, as with any other visit. We work with all Portuguese and international insurance providers.
Medicines Available Under the Regime
The regime covers a defined list of active substances, including adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, tocilizumab, ustekinumab, secukinumab, brodalumab, and ixekizumab. Each medicine has its own prescribing criteria, and being on the list does not mean that a medicine is covered for every condition it can treat.
The doctor chooses the medicine based on your diagnosis, the severity of the disease, and your response to previous treatment. When a biosimilar is available, patients starting biologic therapy for the first time receive the most affordable option.
Is Biologic Therapy Safe?
Biologic medicines have been used for many years and are well studied. Because they act on specific parts of the immune system, the main risk is a higher susceptibility to infections. Reactions at the injection site or during an infusion are less common, and severe allergic reactions are possible but rare.
To reduce these risks, the doctor orders tests and checks your vaccinations before treatment, and you are followed up regularly during treatment. If you notice signs of infection or unusual symptoms, tell your doctor right away.
Fees, Insurance, and Booking
- Rheumatology consultation (Lisbon): €120
- Dermatology consultation (Lisbon and Porto): €120
- Tests and diagnostics: billed separately
- Biologic medicine under the SNS regime: free of charge
A 50% deposit is paid when you book a rheumatology or dermatology consultation. You can book directly, without a referral. We work with all Portuguese and international insurance providers, and patients without insurance can pay directly.
You can book online, via WhatsApp or Telegram, or by phone at +351 300 502 822. Lisbon clinic: Avenida Defensores de Chaves, 73B (Saldanha). Porto clinic: Rua Dr. Alfredo Magalhães, 90 (Trindade).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can prescribe biologic therapy at UMC?
Our rheumatologist Dr. Vasco Romão, who sees adults in Lisbon, and our dermatologist Dr. Ana Brasileiro, who sees adults and children in Lisbon and Porto. Each prescribes within their specialty when biologic therapy is indicated.
Which conditions are covered by the SNS?
Rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis), psoriatic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and plaque psoriasis. Other conditions are not covered by this regime.
Is the medicine really free?
Yes, if the prescription meets the criteria of the regime. The medicine is dispensed free of charge at an SNS hospital pharmacy, and you need a número de utente to receive it. Consultations, tests, and diagnostics at UMC are paid separately.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book a consultation with our rheumatologist or dermatologist directly, without a referral from a GP or family doctor.
Can the doctor prescribe any biologic medicine?
Not always. Each medicine has its own criteria, such as the severity of the disease and the response to previous treatment, set by Portuguese law, including Portaria n.º 261/2024/1. When a biosimilar is available, patients starting treatment for the first time receive the most affordable option.
Does the hospital need to approve the prescription?
Not always, but it may. A prescription does not guarantee that the medicine will be dispensed automatically. The hospital's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (CFT) may ask for additional clinical information to confirm that the criteria are met. In most cases, this is a review of medical documents, and you do not need to attend a committee in person.
Where do I collect the medicine?
At the pharmacy of the SNS hospital nearest to your home. If you are entitled to free dispensing under the regime, you do not pay for the medicine.
What if I do not have a número de utente?
The número de utente gives access to free care in the SNS, so without it you cannot receive the medicine free of charge. If you pay for the medicine yourself, how and where you can obtain it depends on the specific medicine, and the doctor will explain this.
I had biologic therapy in another country. Can I continue it?
In some cases, yes. The doctor takes your previous treatment into account and decides based on your medical records and Portuguese medical and regulatory criteria. It is not always possible to continue exactly the same treatment, so please bring your medical records to the consultation.
Will I need to inject the medicine myself?
Usually yes. After instruction, most patients inject the medicine at home. Some medicines must be given under the supervision of a nurse. The doctor decides how your medicine is given, depending on the therapy and your condition.
Why is this treatment called biologic?
Biologic medicines are produced by living cells rather than by chemical synthesis. Most are monoclonal antibodies or other proteins made with biotechnology. They work selectively, blocking specific molecules involved in inflammation.
