Green light from the Senate to the decree law on liberalisations. With 237 votes in favour, 33 votes against and 2 abstentions, the assembly approved the measure, which passes to the Chamber for the second reading.
The text of article 11, the one concerning medicines and health, has not undergone changes compared to the one fired by the Industry Commission, which with the maxi-amendment had already corrected the first version that arrived in the Senate. [Here is the text of the maxi-amendment.]
Therefore, one pharmacy is envisaged for every 3,300 inhabitants for the opening of new establishments which - in compliance with this figure and within the limit of the 5% of the offices - may also be inaugurated in stations, international airports, maritime stations and service areas in highway, shopping centers and large structures.
It is the Municipality that identifies the areas in which to place the new pharmacies, to ensure a fair distribution on the territory. And it must do so within 30 days of the entry into force of the law converting the decree, while the Regions have one year to ensure the conclusion of the competition and the assignment of available seats. If the deadlines are not respected, the Council of Ministers appoints a commissioner.
The opening hours of pharmacies are also 'liberalized', which can be different from the mandatory ones. Businesses can offer discounts on all medicines and products paid directly by citizens.
The threshold of 12,500 inhabitants for the opening of parapharmacies is abolished. Parapharmacies and other establishments envisaged by the Bersani law of 2006 will be able to sell veterinary medicinal products, both those with a prescription and those without, with the exception of the medicinal products indicated in article 45 of the consolidated text referred to in Presidential Decree 309/1990 and subsequent modifications.
Furthermore, the parapharmacies and establishments envisaged in law 248/2006 can set up medicinal galenic preparations which do not require the
