This Wednesday, the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) announced that the endocrinologist suspected of prescribing anti-diabetic medications for weight loss, currently detained under Operation Obélix, will be heard on Thursday for the first judicial interrogation to determine the coercive measures to be applied. Searches are still ongoing.
The PJ’s head of criminal investigation, Rui Paulo Zilhão, noted that this practice “concerns not only Portuguese society but also the PJ as a higher police body” and that it cannot “refrain from acting when such situations occur, especially when they cause a shortage of the product or medicines in the market.”
“Thus, the Prosecutor’s Office of the North executed several search and seizure warrants in various cities across the country as part of the inquiry proceeding at the DIAP Regional of Porto, investigating criminal conduct typifying crimes of qualified fraud and computer falsity,” he explained during a press conference in Porto.
Rui Paulo Zilhão also reported that “the investigation has already gathered sufficient evidence to indicate that a group of individuals, as well as a company, devised a scheme to prescribe several medications intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes,” namely Ozempic, adding that “four people were made defendants, and one was detained by judicial order,” referring to the endocrinologist.
“The copayment for this type of medication can reach up to 95% of the total, and most of this clinic’s clients already left with a prescription to be filled at their respective pharmacies. Now, it is important to assess whether those people were suffering from that disease or not,” he stated.
Regarding the searches, the PJ criminal coordinator indicated they “included the homes of the defendants, the main suspects,” as well as “a law office, a health establishment in the city of Porto,” and “several searches in Vila Nova de Gaia, Lousada, Albufeira, and Funchal.”
“The inquiry under investigation at the PJ also intersects with an investigation underway at the Tax Authority (AT) directed by the DIAP of Santa Maria da Feira,” he emphasized.
He also said that “around 40 inspectors were mobilized to conduct the operation” and that “the searches are still ongoing.” However, “after they are completed and the seized evidence is analyzed, tomorrow we will present the citizen who is detained for the first judicial interrogation.”
When asked how this fraud was devised, Rui Paulo Zilhão explained that “there was a series of clients who spread the word that a certain clinic had excellent results in terms of weight loss.” “The mechanism by which the medication was prescribed is still under evaluation,” he added.
The suspects are believed to have caused the Portuguese State a financial loss that could amount to approximately three million euros through fraudulently obtained copayment charges.
What Happened?
On Wednesday, the Polícia Judiciária detained an endocrinologist suspected of prescribing anti-diabetic medications to people who did not require them for the purpose of weight loss.
The suspect, whom CNN identifies as Graça Vargas, prescribed medications such as Ozempic, Victoza, and Trulicity to patients, claiming they were diabetic. However, the drugs were prescribed for weight loss purposes.
As stated by the PJ in a press release, the case involves crimes of qualified fraud and computer falsity, with the scheme allegedly causing the Portuguese State a financial loss of around three million euros.
The doctor’s office is currently being searched by the PJ in Porto on this Wednesday morning.
The doctor in question is the main suspect in this investigation, with her actions considered to be motivated by the pursuit of high profits, leading to a depletion of public resources and detriment to the proper functioning of institutions and public health in general.
Graça Vargas pretended that patients were diabetic to enable medication reimbursements intended for diabetes, solely for weight loss purposes. Searches are underway at the doctor’s office.
Andrea Pinto | 12:14 – 19/11/2025
Medical Association Initiates Disciplinary Proceedings Against Detained Doctor
The Medical Association has decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the endocrinologist arrested today in Porto for alleged involvement in a fraudulent scheme of prescribing diabetes medication to patients who wanted to lose weight.
A source from the association informed the Lusa agency that the disciplinary proceedings will take place within the Regional Disciplinary Council of the North.
The same source also indicated that relevant information has been requested from the authorities to support the disciplinary evaluation now being conducted by the Medical Association.
The Medical Association decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the endocrinologist arrested today in Porto for alleged involvement in a fraudulent prescription scheme of diabetes medication to patients seeking weight loss.
Lusa | 15:12 – 19/11/2025
