Pharmacies: NHS Support from Vaccines to Tests
- A new national collective agreement in Italy is redefining the role of pharmacies, positioning them as key players in the country's healthcare system. The agreement, finalized after 26...
- Pharmacies will now offer a range of services, including booking medical appointments and exams, administering vaccines, conducting diagnostic tests, and providing monitoring for patients with chronic conditions.Telemedicine, nursing,...
- Some will be free, others will be covered by agreements with the National Health Service, and some will be offered on a fee-for-service basis, with individual pharmacies setting...
Pharmacies Expand Healthcare Role under New National Agreement
Table of Contents
A new national collective agreement in Italy is redefining the role of pharmacies, positioning them as key players in the country’s healthcare system. The agreement, finalized after 26 years of negotiations, aims too ease the burden on hospitals and other public health facilities by expanding the services offered at local pharmacies.
Expanded Services and Territorial healthcare
Pharmacies will now offer a range of services, including booking medical appointments and exams, administering vaccines, conducting diagnostic tests, and providing monitoring for patients with chronic conditions.Telemedicine, nursing, and physiotherapy services are also included in the expanded offerings.The goal is to establish uniform standards nationwide, ensuring consistent access to healthcare services across the country.
The cost of these services will vary. Some will be free, others will be covered by agreements with the National Health Service, and some will be offered on a fee-for-service basis, with individual pharmacies setting their own prices under free market regulations.
Industry Support and Concerns
Organizations such as Federfarma and the Federation of Orders of Italian Pharmacists (Fofi) have lauded the agreement,emphasizing the enhanced role of pharmacies in healthcare delivery and improved access for citizens,particularly the elderly,chronically ill,and vulnerable populations.
Though, the agreement has faced criticism from some doctors and microbiologists, who express concerns about potential overreach and question the quality of certain services provided by pharmacies.
Agreement Details and Scope
The agreement, published in the Official Gazette, covers approximately 19,000 private and 1,700 public pharmacies. Signed by Sisac, Federfarma, and Assofarm, the three-year agreement aims to improve access to care, especially for those living in underserved areas or with limited mobility. This initiative builds upon previous pilot projects and expands a list of health services introduced in pharmacies following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specific Services Offered
Pharmacies will facilitate booking specialist outpatient appointments in accredited public or private facilities, allowing patients to pay for and collect reports directly at the pharmacy.Integrated home care services will also be available, supporting doctors and pediatricians in managing patients at home.This includes home delivery of medications and medical devices, readiness of nutritional mixtures, and coordination of social and healthcare workers, nurses, and physiotherapists.
Diagnostic and Monitoring Capabilities
Pharmacies will offer first and second-level services,utilizing trained staff (nurses,physiotherapists) and equipment for non-invasive measurements such as blood pressure,oxygen saturation,and electrocardiograms (ecgs). They will also conduct self-monitoring analyses for blood sugar, cholesterol, and other parameters, as well as urine tests and screenings for various conditions. However, pharmacists will not be involved in prescribing medications, making diagnoses, or performing blood withdrawals with syringes.
Focus on chronic Disease Management
The agreement places particular emphasis on chronic disease management,with pharmacies providing data on therapies,advice on medication storage and intake,and monitoring treatment adherence.Vaccination services, including those for coronavirus and influenza, will also be administered by qualified pharmacists.
Criticism and Rebuttals
Despite the expanded services, the agreement has drawn criticism, particularly from medical professionals. The Federation of Scientific Societies of Laboratory Medicine (Fismelab), the Clinical Microbiologists Association (AMCli), and the National Federation of Orders of Biologists (Fnob) argue that the agreement does not adequately recognize the expertise of laboratory medicine professionals and that the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists and other healthcare providers need clearer definition.
Pierino di Silverio, national secretary of Anaao Assomed, expressed concern that the agreement could compromise the quality and reliability of services, particularly regarding the reporting of laboratory exams performed on capillary blood. He stated that delegating this task to pharmacists without ensuring compliance with established laboratory standards contradicts existing legislation.
Federfarma responded by asserting that pharmacies are not intended to replace hospitals or laboratories but rather to support the public health system by identifying potential health issues early and directing patients to specialists when necessary.Marco Cossolo,national president of federfarma,stated that pharmacies will operate according to required standards as accessible healthcare facilities,strengthening healthcare with a focus on the needs of vulnerable populations.
Pharmacies in Italy: A new Era of Healthcare
Q: What’s happening wiht pharmacies in Italy?
A: A new national collective agreement in Italy is substantially changing the role of pharmacies. After 26 years of negotiations, the agreement positions pharmacies as key players in the country’s healthcare system, expanding the services thay offer to ease the burden on hospitals and other public health facilities.
Q: What new services will pharmacies in Italy offer?
A: Pharmacies will now provide a wide range of services, including:
Booking medical appointments and exams
Administering vaccines
Conducting diagnostic tests
Providing monitoring for patients with chronic conditions
Offering telemedicine, nursing, and physiotherapy services
The goal is to establish uniform standards nationwide, ensuring consistent access to healthcare services.
Q: How much will these new pharmacy services cost?
A: The cost of these services will vary. Some will be free, others will be covered by agreements with the National Health Service, and some will be offered on a fee-for-service basis. Individual pharmacies will set their own prices under free market regulations for fee-based services.
Q: What are the benefits of this new agreement?
A: The agreement aims to improve access to care,particularly for those living in underserved areas or with limited mobility. It builds on previous pilot projects and expands upon the list of health services introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations such as Federfarma and the Federation of Orders of Italian Pharmacists (Fofi) support the agreement, emphasizing the enhanced role of pharmacies in healthcare delivery and improved access for citizens, especially the elderly, chronically ill, and vulnerable populations.
Q: What specific services are pharmacies offering?
A: Pharmacies will be able to facilitate several key functions:
Appointment Booking: They will book specialist outpatient appointments in public and private facilities, allowing patients to pay and collect reports directly at the pharmacy.
* Home Care: Integrated home care services will be available, supporting doctors and pediatricians managing patients at home. This includes home delivery of medications and medical devices, readiness of nutritional mixtures, and coordination of social and healthcare workers such as nurses and physiotherapists.
Q: What diagnostic and monitoring capabilities will pharmacies have?
A: Pharmacies are expanding their diagnostic and monitoring capabilities to provide first- and second-level services using trained staff (nurses, physiotherapists) and equipment to take non-invasive measurements such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and electrocardiograms (ECGs). they will also conduct self-monitoring analyses for blood sugar, cholesterol, and other parameters, as well as urine tests and screenings for various conditions. It’s important to note that pharmacists will not prescribe medications, make diagnoses, or perform blood withdrawals with syringes.
Q: Are there any criticisms of this plan?
A: Yes, the agreement has faced criticism, primarily from medical professionals. some doctors and microbiologists express concerns about potential overreach and the quality of certain services. The federation of Scientific Societies of Laboratory medicine (Fismelab), the Clinical Microbiologists Association (AMCli), and the National Federation of Orders of biologists (Fnob) argue that the agreement dose not adequately recognize the expertise of laboratory medicine professionals.
Q: How have pharmacies responded to the criticisms?
A: Federfarma, has responded by stating that pharmacies are not intended to replace hospitals or laboratories but to support the public health system. They aim to strengthen healthcare, focusing on the needs of vulnerable populations.
Q: What is the focus on chronic disease management?
A: The agreement places a particular emphasis on chronic disease management.Pharmacies will provide data on therapies, offer advice on medication storage and intake, and monitor treatment adherence. Additionally,qualified pharmacists will administer vaccination services,including those for coronavirus and influenza.
Q: What is the scope of the agreement?
A: This three-year agreement, published in the Official Gazette, covers approximately 19,000 private and 1,700 public pharmacies.