Adoc, the most expensive class C medicines in Italy of the 94% compared to France and Germany

Fedaisf editorial staff

6 August 2014

CAMPOBASSO. Class C drugs, non-essential medicines, without a prescription (SOP) and completely paid for by the consumer, cost more in Italy than neighboring France and Germany.

The Adoc survey examined five types of drugs (antipyretics, analgesics, anti-acids, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories) comparing, with the same concentration of the active ingredient and the quantity present in the package, the costs for the purchase in Italy, France and Germany.

On average, 125% less is spent in France for the purchase of an over-the-counter drug, 94% less in Germany. Considering that the average annual expenditure of an Italian family for the purchase of class C medicines is around 120 euros, it appears that for the same quantity of medicines in France 70 euros are spent per year (the 71% less), in Germany 55 euros (the 118% less). For example, a pack of antipyretics in Italy costs an average of 4.50 euros, across the Alps 1.95 euros (-130%), in Germany 2.40 euros (-87.5%). Huge price differences that weigh heavily on the accounts and needs of Italian families.

This increase in costs is added to the cuts in healthcare that Italian families and, in particular, Molise families have recently been suffering.

“The high costs of medicines have a profound effect on the accounts and on the health of families, starting from basic treatments – declare from Adoc Molise – Prices that are not in line with the European average also put the concept of the patient in crisis < >, transnational, tending towards greater accessibility, including economic, to health care and treatment".

“To all this, we must add the reduction of resources directed to health expenditure. It is necessary for politics to find the best solution in order to protect citizens - says Nicola Criscuoli, head of the association - and not to underestimate the need for prevention, maximum competence and accessibility, both in terms of health demand and health expenditure. Crucial is and will ensure a complete < > healthcare that can enhance the quality of services. Health cannot be touched”.

August 5, 2014 Termoli on line

(AGENPARL) – Roma, 05 ago – La Corte costituzionale e l’Aifa si contrappongono sulla vendita dei farmaci di fascia C. Se infatti nella sua ultima sentenza la Consulta sostiene che i farmaci con ricetta sono interamente liberalizzati tranne che per una minima eccezione (stupefacenti, sostanze psicotrope, quelli del sistema endocrino e quelli per via parenterale), e dunque vendibili anche in Parafarmacia, l’Aifa ci spieghi perché di fatto i medicinali con obbligo di ricetta sono 5430 (su un totale di 7985) mentre quelli senza ricetta sono solo 2555, e cioè il 30% dell’intera fascia C. E’ quanto dichiara il presidente delle Federazione nazionale Parafarmacie italiane, Davide Gullotta. “Delle due l’una”, precisa Gullotta. “Se per la Corte i farmaci di fascia C sono già di fatto dispensati nelle parafarmacie allora l’Aifa deve applicare immediatamente la legge passando la maggioranza dei farmaci di Fascia C a SOP (senza obbligo di prescrizione); viceversa, se così non fosse allora il più alto organo di garanzia costituzionale ha descritto uno stato diametralmente opposto a quello effettivamente esistente e su questo ha basato una sentenza: si provveda immediatamente a chiarire”.