Portugal doctors call for measures on health misinformation

The complaints were recorded by the association’s Medical Practice Observatory, established in 2025 to monitor concerns surrounding medical practice.

Carlos Cortes, president of the Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos), says some of the cases are extremely serious and that misinformation has directly harmed members of the public.

The association is particularly concerned about the spread of misleading health claims and believes stronger regulation and enforcement are needed to protect patients.

It has now submitted a legislative proposal to the President of the Republic, Parliament and the Ministry of Health, calling for greater oversight of health-related information and practices.

Social media

Social media platforms are also in the spotlight, with the association arguing that they should face penalties in connection with the spread of harmful misinformation.

The concern is that people looking for medical advice may encounter claims that appear credible but have little or no scientific basis.

For patients, knowing which information to trust can be difficult, particularly when health advice is shared widely online.

The Medical Association wants the authorities to take a more active role in addressing the problem, arguing that misleading health information is not simply an online nuisance but something that can have real consequences for people’s health.