Parma Ausl: medicines distributed by doctors in the Health Homes

Fedaisf editorial staff

October 27, 2016

Before it was only a suspicion, strong but devoid of irrefutable evidence. Now there is proof: in the health houses of the Parma ASL, the medicines broadcast live are dispensed by doctors. This is confirmed by the press release released in recent days by the company management to announce the forthcoming inauguration of the Casa della salute of Fontanellato, a municipality in the Parma area with around seven thousand inhabitants. In the structure, writes the ASL, there will be "the clinics of five family doctors and a pediatrician of free choice, supported by a study collaborator and a nurse", plus the district services: "community pediatrics, mental health , family counseling, home nursing assistance and sampling point".

What about direct distribution? «It is guaranteed by family doctors» the press release reassures, "while diabetics and people who need other aids will be contacted by telephone to agree on the place of collection". If we were in an Ellery Queen thriller, this would be the moment when the culprit gives himself up and confesses. "We had rumors that they referred to live drugs dispensed by doctors on duty in the ASL health centers (about fifteen, which however will become more than twenty in 2017, ed.)" the president of Federfarma Parma, Alessandro Merli, explains to Filodiretto "however so far we had not been able to get tangible confirmations. Now, however, it is the ASL itself that is putting it on paper white. And from what we learned later, the drugs are delivered by the doctor in sealed packets with the patient's name printed on them."

At local pharmacies, things don't go down well. «We immediately contacted the Order of Pharmacists to verify» continues Merli «but their lawyer told us that the service would be organized in such a way as to comply with the law. We then turned to Fimmg and Snami, but we also got the same answers from them». However, Federfarma does not intend to give up: "We have sent a letter of protest to the ASL, in which we ask why the company has recently implemented the regional agreement and expanded the dpc if it then distributes the direct to doctors". For the moment no answer, but in a few days we will talk about it face to face. «On 11 November we have a technical meeting with the ASL on the technical procedures of the dpc» confirms Merli «we will take the opportunity to put the question on the table. Of course, we would need some sufficiently strong legal prop.'

(AS -27/10/2016 – Federfarma)