Tunisian Medical Associations Call for Revision of Decision Restricting Prescription of New-Generation Diabetes Medications
Associations and Medical Societies in Tunisia Urge Review of Decision Restricting Prescription of Certain Diabetes Medications
On Wednesday, Tunisian associations and medical societies specializing in general medicine and family medicine called for a review of the decision made by the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ANMPS) on December 26, 2025, restricting the prescription of certain new-generation diabetes medications, including semaglutide (Ozempic), to only five medical specialties.
In a joint statement published following their meeting on May 10 in Hammamet, the associations and medical societies requested the opening of broader scientific and institutional consultations to evaluate the most suitable modalities for regulating the prescription of innovative medications in the interest of patients and the proper functioning of the national healthcare system.
They reiterated their commitment to accessible, equitable, and competence-based medicine, serving the higher interests of patients.
The signatory associations and medical societies consider the ANMPS decision to restrict prescription to be an unethical and scientifically unjustified measure that undermines access to care.
"The primary care physician plays a central role in the Tunisian healthcare system, acting as a proximity actor and first point of contact for patients, ensuring daily screening, follow-up, therapeutic education, and coordination of care for chronic diseases, including diabetes," the statement adds.
"The involvement of the primary care physician is an essential element of continuity and efficiency in the patient care pathway," it reads.
Moreover, the associations and medical societies gathered questioned the real motivations behind this restriction, which seems to prioritize a logic of compartmentalizing competencies at the expense of patient interests, healthcare system efficiency, and the Ministry of Health's strategy to strengthen primary care in managing chronic diseases.
According to the statement, the ANMPS decision undermines equitable access to innovative treatments for patients, fundamental principles of medical ethics, prescription freedom, and equality among practitioners.
It is worth recalling that on May 4, the ANMPS published a statement explaining that, following the introduction of the Ozempic (semaglutide) medication on the Tunisian market, and in accordance with decisions from the thematic meeting on December 9, 2025, and the Technical Committee on Pharmaceutical Specialties (CTSP) on December 16, 2025, the modalities for regulating prescription, delivery, and surveillance of this medication aim to ensure rational and secure use, prevent misuse, protect diabetic patients, and strengthen public health security through rigorous regulatory follow-up.
The ANMPS emphasized that the Ozempic medication is made available exclusively at pharmacies and its prescription is strictly reserved for specialist doctors from the following five disciplines: endocrinology, internal medicine, cardiology, nephrology, nutrition, and nutritional diseases.
