Italy expands pharmacy roles through telemedicine and personalized medication services

Italy is implementing new guidelines to expand the role of pharmacies as essential hubs for territorial healthcare. Agenas has released organizational guidelines for providing telemedicine services in affiliated pharmacies. This initiative, developed through a protocol with Federfarma, aims to integrate pharmacies into the healthcare network by offering services such as video visits, telemonitoring, teleconsultation, and teleassistance. These services are prioritized for rural areas to improve accessibility, though urban pharmacies may participate if they possess suitable equipment.

In a separate but related development, Undersecretary of Health Marcello Gemmato signed a decree establishing national standards for personalized medication management in pharmacies. This service allows pharmacists to assist patients—particularly the elderly and those with chronic illnesses—by repackaging prescribed medications into personalized, single-dose blister packs organized by day and time. This measure is designed to improve therapeutic adherence and reduce medication errors. While pharmacists provide technical and logistical support, they do not assume clinical responsibility, and all medication handling must strictly follow official pharmacopoeia procedures to ensure traceability.