AIFA reports pharmaceutical spending deficit in Italy

The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) has released its monitoring report for pharmaceutical spending during January and February 2026. Total public pharmaceutical expenditure, including both pharmacy-dispensed drugs and direct purchases, reached 4,529.7 million euros. This represents 19.29% of the provisional 2026 National Health Fund (FSN).

There is a significant discrepancy between different spending channels. Direct purchases (excluding medicinal gases) exceeded their budget ceiling by 950.6 million euros, accounting for 12.65% of the FSN. AIFA attributed this deficit to spending on non-innovative drugs, noting that innovative medicines and reserve antibiotics are covered by a dedicated Ministry of Health fund.

In contrast, spending through the pharmacy channel (convenzionata) showed a surplus. Net spending for medicines dispensed in local pharmacies was 1,486.1 million euros, an increase of approximately 76.8 million euros (+5.4%) compared to 2025. This channel generated a surplus of 88.7 million euros relative to its 6.85% ceiling, representing 6.47% of the FSN.