Italy to tighten fentanyl security in hospitals following Rome theft

The Italian Ministry of Health is drafting a new decree to tighten security, custody, and traceability of fentanyl and other psychotropic substances within public and private healthcare facilities. This regulatory push follows the high-profile theft of 80 fentanyl vials from the Ospedale Israelitico in Rome.

The proposed 19-article decree aims to establish uniform minimum standards for managing narcotics used in human and veterinary medicine. Key requirements include the use of safes for storage, alarm systems integrated with operational centers, video surveillance, and strictly tracked individual access to pharmaceutical areas. The measures also mandate electronic registries and specific procedures for key management and stock verification to ensure immediate accountability.

While large university hospitals may implement these structural changes relatively quickly, concerns remain regarding smaller clinics, peripheral facilities, and emergency departments. These locations often face challenges such as outdated warehouses, limited space, and obsolete surveillance systems. The new regulations intend to provide law enforcement with the necessary data to reconstruct chains of responsibility and facilitate judicial proceedings in the event of theft or mismanagement.