Basilicata to introduce pharmaceutical co-payments to manage healthcare spending

The Basilicata regional government has approved a measure introducing a 2.50 euro co-payment for pharmaceutical prescriptions, effective October 1, 2026. Health Councilor Cosimo Latronico stated the decision was necessary to contain regional pharmaceutical spending, which reached 7.38% of the Regional Health Fund, exceeding the national ceiling of 6.80%. Failure to implement containment measures would have resulted in the loss of supplementary state funding.

The measure applies to the entire prescription regardless of the number of packages, though exemptions remain for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, the unemployed, and those with chronic or rare diseases.

The decision has sparked significant political tension and public protest. While regional officials defend the move as a tool for fiscal sustainability, labor unions and political opponents have criticized it. Recent demonstrations led to personal insults directed at Councilor Latronico, prompting calls from both political allies and opposition members, such as Socialist group leader Antonio Bochicchio, to maintain institutional decorum and avoid personal attacks during political disputes.