Italy's Health Ministry flags forensic medicine roadmap and pharma traceability lag

In Rome, the 47th national congress of the Italian Society of Forensic Medicine and Insurance (SIMLA) opened at the Catholic University conference centre, inaugurated by Health Minister Orazio Schillaci. The three‑day event highlighted new technologies, AI and digitalisation in forensic medicine and presented a three‑year strategic plan for the discipline. Schillaci stressed that forensic medicine “plays an essential role in balancing health protection, individual rights and the proper functioning of justice,” while the deputy health minister announced forthcoming reforms to give physicians greater freedom under good practice guidelines.

Separately, a report from the independent Gimbe Foundation warned that Italy is lagging in the digital traceability of medicines and medical devices required by the EU Falsified Medicines Directive. The country has implemented only five of the nine required measures, leaving gaps in the central medicines database and the technical standards for unique identifiers and anti‑tampering devices. Gimbe President Nino Cartabellotta said the delay “risks slowing the whole transition to the new European serialization system” and could undermine public‑health safety.

Both developments underscore a broader push within Italy’s health sector to modernise regulatory frameworks, improve safety and adapt to emerging technological challenges.