Prescription of medicinal products

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A medical prescription issued in a EU country must be recognised in all other EU countries (Article 11 of Directive 2011/24/EU of 9 March 2011).

However, for certain reasons (protection of human health, doubts about the authenticity, content or comprehensibility of an individual prescription or ethical reasons) the pharmacist may refuse to dispense the medication.

Prescriptions for medicinal products subject to special medical prescription (as defined in Article 71(2) of Directive (EC) No 83 of 6 November 2001, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree No 219 of 26 April 2006), such as medicinal products containing substances classified as psychotropic or narcotic, are not recognised.

Medicinal products that are authorised for sale in Italy and medical devices that have been prescribed to you in another Member State can be obtained on the Italian territory in compliance with the relevant laws.

Consult the AIFA database to find out whether a medicine is authorised in Italy.

Content of medical prescriptions

To facilitate the recognition of a prescription in another EU country, check that it contains at least the following data:

Identification of the patient

• Surname(s)
• First name(s) (written in full, i.e. not just the initials)
• Date of birth

Authentication of the prescription

• Issue date

Identification of the prescribing healthcare provider:

• Surname(s)
• First name(s) (written in full, i.e. not just the initials)
• Professional qualification
• Details for direct contact (email and telephone or fax, the latter both with international prefix)
• Work address (including the name of the relevant Member State)
• Signature (written or digital, depending on the medium chosen for issuing the prescription)

Identification of the prescribed product, where applicable

• Common name (INN - International Non-proprietary Name) as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC of 6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use
• Brand name if:
  • the product prescribed is a biological medicinal product (as defined in Annex I, Part I, point 3.2.1.1(b) of Directive 2001/83/EC of 6 November 2001), or if
  • the health professional issuing the prescription considers this necessary for medical reasons; in that case, the reason for using the brand name must be briefly explained in the prescription
• Pharmaceutical formulation (tablet, solution, etc.)
• Quantity
• Strength, as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2001/83/EC of 6 November 2001
• Dosage regimen

See Directive 2012/52/EU of 20 December 2012

Reimburse

If you are a patient registered with the Italian National Health Service and you have purchased a medicine and/or medical device with a medical prescription in the European Union, on your return you can claim reimbursement from your local health authority (ASL).

To obtain reimbursement of the cost incurred you must submit your claim to your local health authority (ASL), enclosing the original prescription and original invoice or receipt within 60 days from the date of use of the prescription. The ASL must reimburse you within 60 days from receipt of your claim.

On the other hand, if you are registered with the healthcare system of another EU country and you have purchased a medicine or medical device in Italy, you can claim reimbursement from your competent institution.

Make sure you keep the prescription and the receipt or invoice, as you may need to submit them to obtain refund.

Last update 28 october 2019

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