Community pharmacies in Italy: An inevitably growing role?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Pharmacy Practice

Background:

• Italy's public health system, the Italian National Health Service (INHS), has integrated private organizations since 1978.
• Community pharmacies (CPs) in Italy, historically private entities, have undergone significant regulatory changes.
• These changes aim to adapt CPs to evolving healthcare needs within the INHS framework.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the regulatory evolution of community pharmacies in Italy.
• To examine the impact of these changes on the role and services of CPs within the INHS.
• To assess the financial implications and potential challenges of integrating private pharmacies into public healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Review of regulatory provisions impacting Italian community pharmacies in the new millennium.
• Analysis of legislative changes concerning pharmacy ownership, drug dispensing, and service provision.
• Examination of the financial adjustments and their consequences for the Italian National Health Service.

Main Results:

• Key regulatory shifts include the cancellation of the 'one pharmacist-one pharmacy' rule and the extension of ownership to non-pharmacists.
• Community pharmacies are increasingly recognized as providers of community care services beyond drug dispensing.
• A new distribution margin in 2024 has led to increased expenses for the INHS.

Conclusions:

• Community pharmacies are poised to play a crucial role in primary care within the INHS.
• The INHS must manage potential opportunistic behaviors from private providers focusing on profitable services.
• High transaction costs may be incurred by the INHS to regulate private community pharmacy services effectively.