Партугалія ўхваліла лячэнне цяжкай дэпрэсіі эскетамінам

Portugal has taken a significant step in mental health treatment by approving public funding for Spravato, the first medicine containing esketamine, aimed at patients with severe depression. João Bessa, president of the Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health (SPPSM), emphasized that the approval meets a pressing need for effective treatment in cases of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

The National Authority for Medicines and Health Products (Infarmed) announced that Spravato will be available in hospital settings for adults who have not responded to at least three different antidepressant treatments. Bessa described this development as ‘very positive,’ highlighting the urgency for new therapeutic options in a population struggling with severe depression.

Spravato will be administered alongside two other antidepressants, employing combination or oral potentiation strategies during moderate to severe depressive episodes. This treatment is specifically intended for adults who have previously undergone psychotherapy and have either resisted or been contraindicated for electroconvulsive therapy, which remains a common but less frequently chosen option.

Bessa noted the delay in making Spravato available, as it has been in use in many European countries for some time. ‘Despite the evidence generated in recent years, we are only now providing this treatment option within the National Health System,’ he said. This approval comes at a crucial time, as a working group of medical, pharmaceutical, and psychological associations, along with the National Ethics Council, is advocating for the classification of psychedelics as legitimate medicines.

The decision made on May 7 marks an important moment in Portugal’s approach to mental health, particularly for those suffering from severe depression who have limited treatment options. By integrating this innovative treatment into the healthcare system, Portugal aims to improve outcomes for individuals facing persistent and debilitating depressive symptoms.