Medication and Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Rome

Italian pharmacies (farmacie) are easy to spot by their green cross sign, which is usually illuminated. Pharmacies in Italy do more than fill prescriptions. Pharmacists can provide medical advice, take blood pressure readings, and recommend over-the-counter treatments for minor ailments. They are often your first point of contact for non-emergency medical needs.

Pharmacy Hours

Most Roman pharmacies follow a split schedule:

• Morning: 8:30am to 1:00pm
• Afternoon: 4:00pm to 8:00pm
• Saturday: Morning hours only (8:30am to 1:00pm)
• Sunday: Closed (except turno pharmacies)

The afternoon break (pausa pranzo) is a tradition across Italy. Plan your pharmacy visits around these hours.

24-Hour and Night Pharmacies (Turno)

Rome operates a rotation system (turno) where certain pharmacies stay open nights, weekends, and holidays. At any given time, there are always pharmacies open somewhere in the city. Key pharmacies that are open extended hours or 24/7:

• Farmacia della Stazione (Piazza dei Cinquecento 49/50/51, near Roma Termini): One of the most reliably open pharmacies in central Rome, extended hours
• Farmacia Internazionale Capranica (Piazza Capranica 96, near the Pantheon): Long hours, staff often speak English
• Farmacia Cola di Rienzo (Via Cola di Rienzo 213, Prati): Near the Vatican, long hours

Prescription Rules in Italy

Italian prescription rules differ from many other countries:

• Prescription medications: Many medications that are available over the counter in other countries require a prescription (ricetta medica) in Italy. This includes some pain medications, antibiotics, and most chronic condition medications.
• Your home prescription: Italian pharmacies generally cannot fill foreign prescriptions directly. However, a doctor's letter explaining your condition and medication (preferably with the generic drug name, not just the brand name) can help an Italian doctor write a local prescription quickly.
• Generic names: Always know the generic (chemical) name of your medication, not just the brand name. Brand names differ between countries, but the generic name is universal.

Importing Medication

When bringing medication into Italy:

• Carry medication in original packaging with the pharmacy label showing your name
• Bring a doctor's letter in English listing your medications, dosages, and your medical conditions. This is essential for prescription medications and critical for controlled substances.
• Controlled substances: If you take opioids, benzodiazepines, or other controlled medications, carry a Schengen certificate (for EU travelers) or a doctor's letter plus your prescription. Italian customs can question controlled substances without proper documentation.
• Supply: Bring enough medication for your entire trip plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Do not plan to refill prescriptions in Italy unless absolutely necessary.
• Carry-on luggage: Always keep medication in your carry-on, never in checked baggage. If your luggage is lost, you cannot afford to be without medication.

Emergency Medical Care

Guardia Medica (Out-of-Hours Doctor)

The Guardia Medica is Italy's out-of-hours medical service for non-emergency situations. They can visit you at your hotel or provide phone consultations. Contact them through your hotel reception or by calling the local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) number. The service is available evenings, weekends, and holidays when regular clinics are closed.

Emergency Room (Pronto Soccorso)

For emergencies, call 112 (the European emergency number) or go directly to a Pronto Soccorso (emergency room). Major hospitals in Rome with emergency departments include:

• Policlinico Umberto I (Viale del Policlinico 155): Large teaching hospital, central location
• Ospedale Santo Spirito (Lungotevere in Sassia 1): Near the Vatican, historic but well-equipped
• Ospedale San Camillo (Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87): South of the center, modern facilities

EU Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC)

EU citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for access to state-provided healthcare at reduced cost or free. This covers necessary medical treatment during your stay but not repatriation or non-urgent treatment.

Non-EU visitors should have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical treatment in Italy.

Practical Tips

• Learn the phrase "Ho bisogno di questo farmaco" (I need this medication) and show the generic name
• Larger pharmacies near tourist areas are more likely to have English-speaking staff
• Italian pharmacies can sell some medications without a prescription that would require one in other countries, and vice versa. Always ask.
• If you need a local prescription, your hotel can help arrange a doctor visit. Private doctors can typically see you the same day for about 80 to 150 euros
• Keep a written list of all your medications with generic names, dosages, and your doctor's contact information in your wallet or phone