An Italian pharmacy is called a farmacia and is recognizable by a green cross. (Allister Clark - stock.adobe.com)
An Italian pharmacy, or “farmacia,” is a place you will need to be accustomed to when living in Italy. There are no chain pharmacies in Italy, but a farmacia is universally recognizable by the green cross sign. Pharmacies and their opening hours are regulated by law and operate on a “rota” system to ensure an open pharmacy for medical emergencies at any time.
Every pharmacy will display a card identifying its own opening hours, emergency number and instructions for emergency services outside of the opening hours.
Utilize the EmergenciesFVG App, available form Apple’s App Store and via Google Play to find an open pharmacy near you.
When you walk into the farmacia, you will need to wait in line and talk to the pharmacist for medicines, even those considered “over the counter.” Medications such as ibuprofen are not on open shelves, but you will not need a prescription to get them.
Italian pharmacists are likely to ask a series of questions to discern which remedy best suits your symptoms. Since a stuffy nose might be allergies or a head cold, the treatments are different; Italian pharmacists are well-qualified to provide advice about minor ailments and dispense appropriate prescriptions. Be prepared to talk to the pharmacist by describing symptoms and answering questions.
As with doctors and dentists, pharmacists may speak limited English, so it is a good idea to come prepared with a translated list of symptoms or use a translation app on your mobile phone.
If you have a prescription from your Italian provider, simply hand it to the pharmacist and they will take care of the rest. Note that opiates, narcotics or other closely regulated medications are difficult or sometimes impossible to get filled in Italy without the prescription of an Italian specialist.
Even non-prescription medicines retrieved from shelves in the US require you to get them “over the counter” from a pharmacist in Italy. (halfpoint (123RF))
It is important to know that military installation pharmacies will only fill a prescription if it is written to standard and is in English. TRICARE Patient Liaisons can assist with translating your Italian network care recommendations and prescriptions.
The Medical Officer of the Day or your PCM may need to replicate the recommended prescription to order it at your installation pharmacy. The medication must be something carried by the installation pharmacy as a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication.
These common over-the-counter medications are available at Italian pharmacies. Consult the pharmacist or your doctor for proper use and dosage.
ANTACID
Generic: Aluminium hydroxide, Pantoprazole, Esomeprazole
Brand: Maalox, Nexium
ANTIDIARRHEAL
Generic: Loperamid-Hcl
Brand: Imodium, Dissenten
ANTIFUNGAL
Generic: Terbinafine
Brands: Canesten, Pevaryl, Lamisil
ANTIFUNGAL (VAGINAL)
Generic: Clotrimazole
Brands: Gynocanesten, Meclon
ANTIHISTAMINE
Generic: Cetirizine, Fenoxfenadine
Brands: Reactine, Zirtec, Fexallegra
CHILDREN’S IBUPROFEN
Generic: Ibuprofen
Brand: Nurofen
CHILDREN’S TYLENOL (SYRUP)
Generic: Paracetamol
Brands: Tachipirina
CONSTIPATION
Generic: Lactulose, Macrogol
Brand: Portolac, Lactulose, Onligol
COUGH MEDICINE
Generic: Dextrmetorphan, Oxolamine, Levodropropizine
Brands: Bronchenolo sedativo, Tussibron, Levotuss
EAR WAX REMOVER
Generic: Docusat-Natrium
Brand: Cerulisina
HEAD LICE
Generic: Permethrin
Brand: Paranix
ORAL ELECTROLITE REPLACEMENT (FOR ADULTS)
Contains: sodium, potassium chloride and glucose
Brands: Polase, Massigen, 4Fuel
SALINE NASAL SPRAY
Generic: Sodium Chloride
Brands: Isomar, Sterimar, Ialumar
