Italian Pharmacies Poised to Become Local Healthcare Hubs with Expanded Diagnostic Testing
A sweeping reform will transform pharmacies across Italy into widespread health prevention centers, offering a range of diagnostic tests and easing the burden on hospitals and general practitioners.
Italy is on the cusp of a healthcare revolution, one that brings preventative care directly to citizens’ neighborhoods. Beginning this year, pharmacies – over 19,000 nationwide – will evolve into comprehensive health centers, empowered to conduct an increasingly broad spectrum of diagnostic tests. This shift, driven by the implementation of new pharmaceutical services, eliminates the need for patients to travel to laboratories or navigate complex booking systems.
Until 2025, pharmacies were limited to offering self-diagnosis tests, such as those for blood sugar and cholesterol. However, a new regulatory framework taking effect in 2026 will enable pharmacies to perform first-instance laboratory tests using certified instruments and trained personnel. The scope of these tests will be substantial, encompassing blood work for hormone levels, kidney and liver function, cardiac markers, inflammatory indicators, and even initial screenings for cancers like prostate and colorectal cancer.
This transformation is made possible by the introduction of “decentralized laboratories” and seamless digital integration with local health authorities and regional platforms. Test reports will be clinically valid and readily accessible through the electronic health record, ensuring continuity of care. To guarantee accuracy and patient safety, pharmacists will undergo specialized training recognized by the Ministry of Health, covering proper analysis execution and sensitive data management.
Significant Savings in Time and Resources
The initiative aims to improve access to routine health checks and dramatically reduce wait times for laboratory analyses. Federfarma estimates that approximately 500 million laboratory tests are conducted annually in Italy, with at least 15% potentially shifting to pharmacies. This represents a substantial time saving for citizens, who currently face weeks-long delays for both sample collection and report delivery.
“With the service pharmacy, we bring assistance a few meters from home,” explained the president of Federfarma, Marco Cossolo. “It is a new frontier of prevention and care of the citizen. It means preventing small ailments from becoming chronic diseases and lightening the burden on hospital structures.”
For individuals managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia, the changes will be particularly impactful. They will be able to continuously monitor their health parameters, receive immediate results, and engage in more frequent dialogue with pharmacists, doctors, and healthcare facilities. This initiative aligns with the goals of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which seeks to strengthen local medicine throughout Italy.
Regional Implementation and Potential Challenges
Regions will play a crucial role in defining the specific tests offered and establishing reimbursement or cost-sharing mechanisms. Pharmacies will be required to dedicate reserved spaces and maintain equipment that meets stringent safety and quality standards.
However, the expansion of testing services in pharmacies is not without its critics. Some physicians express concern that it could lead to overlap with general medical practice and encourage “do-it-yourself” diagnostics. Pharmacists’ associations have been quick to address these concerns, emphasizing their commitment to collaboration rather than replacement. “We do not want to replace doctors but collaborate for more efficient healthcare, centered on the person and based on prevention,” they assert.
Pilot projects are slated to launch in the coming months in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Lazio, allowing participating pharmacies to offer the new tests and directly transmit results to treating physicians. This represents a significant logistical and cultural shift with the potential to profoundly impact public health in Italy. Making prevention simple, fast, and accessible could fundamentally change – for the better – the future of healthcare in the country.
