HealthItaly

The pharmacy in Italy

La farmacia

The pharmacy dispenses prescription medicines and advises on over-the-counter ones. Look for the green cross and the on-duty pharmacy.

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Overview

Pharmacies (farmacie) have an important health role in Italy: the illuminated green cross stands at their door, and qualified pharmacists work in them dispensing prescribed medicines and providing free advice on simple symptoms, doses and interactions. They are found in every neighbourhood.

Medicines are dispensed by white or red prescription (often electronic), and cold medicines and painkillers are sold in the pharmacy or in a parafarmacia or supermarket (over-the-counter medicines SOP and OTC). Pharmacies also provide services such as measuring pressure and sugar, rapid tests and booking through the CUP. This guide explains the pharmacy and the parafarmacia, dispensing a prescription and cost, over-the-counter medicines, the on-duty pharmacy, pregnancy and allergy, travelling with medicines, and the risks of buying online.

1

The pharmacy and the parafarmacia

The pharmacy (farmacia) under a qualified pharmacist dispenses prescribed and non-prescription medicines and sells care products and vitamins.

  • The parafarmacia and corners in supermarkets sell non-prescription medicines (SOP and OTC) and health products at often lower prices, but do not dispense prescribed medicines.
  • Choose a nearby pharmacy and always use it to build a relationship, so that the pharmacist learns your medicines and allergies and avoids dangerous interactions.
  • And do not hesitate to ask Cosa mi consiglia?
  • meaning what do you recommend, for simple symptoms such as cold, headache and heartburn.
  • Pharmacies also sell baby supplies, milk and simple medical devices.
2

Dispensing the prescription and cost

You go to any pharmacy with your health card or the electronic prescription number (NRE), and the pharmacy reads the prescription and dispenses the medicine.

  • The medicine may be unavailable and is ordered and arrives within a day or two.
  • The pharmacist offers the equivalente, that is the cheaper generic with the same effect, and you have the right to choose it. Essential medicines in fascia A are free or with a symbolic co-payment (ticket) by region and exemption, and fascia C medicines are paid in full, including many cold and allergy medicines and supplements.
  • Ask about the price before buying, and make sure you understand the dose, timing and whether it is taken with food.
  • And you can deduct medicine expenses from tax (detrazione 19 per cent) by keeping the tax receipt.
3

Over-the-counter medicines and special matters

For headache and fever paracetamol (paracetamolo), for pain and inflammation ibuprofen with caution in stomach problems, for heartburn antacids, for colds symptom medicines, and for allergy antihistamines.

  • Keep to the dose and do not continue longer than recommended, and if symptoms last more than a few days see the doctor.
  • Antibiotics are sold only by prescription and do not take old leftovers.
  • Always ask the pharmacist before combining medicines or with herbs, and tell him if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have allergies.
  • And some medicines available in your country may need a prescription here or be unavailable, so carry the name of the active ingredient to know the alternative.
4

The on-duty pharmacy, travel and online

At night and on holidays on-duty pharmacies (farmacia di turno) operate, announced on every pharmacy door and on the comune sites, the pharmacists' association and apps such as Farmacie di turno.

  • Some pharmacies are open all night.
  • When travelling abroad carry your medicines in original packaging with a prescription or medical report, since some medicines are banned in other countries.
  • To buy medicines online buy from licensed pharmacies bearing the European national logo for legal sale, and avoid unknown sites that sell counterfeit medicines.
  • Do not share your prescribed medicines with others.
  • And return expired medicines to the medicine containers (contenitori farmaci scaduti) in pharmacies for safe disposal.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Choose a nearby pharmacy and always use it.

  2. 2

    Go with your health card or NRE number after the doctor writes the prescription.

  3. 3

    Ask about dose, side effects and interactions.

  4. 4

    Ask for the cheaper equivalente medicine if possible.

  5. 5

    Keep the tax receipt for the tax deduction.

  6. 6

    Return expired medicines to the pharmacy.

Documents checklist

  • The health card.
  • The electronic prescription number NRE.
  • List of medicines and allergies.
  • Doctor's report when travelling with medicines.
  • The tax receipt (scontrino parlante).

Key vocabulary

  • lafarmacia
    pharmacy
  • ilfarmacista
    pharmacist
  • laricetta
    prescription
  • ilmedicinale
    medicine
  • l'equivalente
    generic
  • ilfoglietto illustrativo
    information leaflet
  • l'effetto collaterale
    side effect
  • ildosaggio
    dosage
  • l'allergia
    allergy
  • lafarmacia di turno
    on-duty pharmacy
  • l'antidolorifico
    painkiller

Useful phrases

  • Vengo a ritirare un farmaco con ricetta.I have come to collect a prescription medicine.
  • Ogni quante ore devo prenderlo?How many hours apart must I take it?
  • Ha effetti collaterali?Does it have side effects?
  • Sono allergico alla penicillina.I am allergic to penicillin.
  • C'è un equivalente più economico?Is there a cheaper equivalent?
  • Dov'è la farmacia di turno più vicina?Where is the nearest on-duty pharmacy?

At the pharmacy

  • Farmacista

    Buongiorno. Cosa desidera?Good morning. What would you like?

  • Tu

    Buongiorno. Vengo a ritirare un farmaco. Il medico ha inviato la ricetta ieri.Good morning. I have come to collect a medicine. The doctor sent the prescription yesterday.

  • Farmacista

    La tessera sanitaria, per favore. È allergico a qualche farmaco?Your health card, please. Are you allergic to any medicine?

  • Tu

    Sì, alla penicillina.Yes, to penicillin.

  • Farmacista

    Questo farmaco è sicuro. Prenda una compressa ogni otto ore dopo i pasti.This medicine is safe. Take one tablet every eight hours after meals.

  • Tu

    Grazie. Quanto devo pagare?Thank you. How much do I have to pay?

Common mistakes

  • Taking leftover old antibiotics without advice.
  • Not telling the pharmacist about pregnancy or allergy.
  • Buying from unlicensed internet sites.
  • Exceeding the permitted dose of painkillers.

Cultural tips

  • Always use one pharmacy so that your record is complete.
  • Photograph the leaflet and box to review.
  • Set a phone alarm for your medicine times.
  • Ask about a pharmacy that speaks your language or explains in English.
  • If you develop unusual symptoms after taking a new medicine such as a rash, shortness of breath or severe dizziness, stop taking it and call the doctor or emergency at once, and keep the medicine box to show the doctor.
  • Take to the pharmacy the active ingredient name of the medicine you use in your country, since brand names differ between countries and by knowing the active ingredient the pharmacist can direct you to the suitable alternative available in Italy.

Official links

Check yourself

Question 1 of 5

What does the green cross indicate?