Lombardy Region adopts new agreement for pharmacies

The Lombardy Region has adopted a new Regional Integrative Agreement (AIR) for pharmacies, following the National Collective Agreement (ACN). Signed between the regional government, Federfarma Lombardia, and Assofarm/Confservizi Lombardia, the three-year agreement replaces previous regulations and aims to strengthen pharmacies as essential local healthcare hubs.

Proposed by Councilor Guido Bertolaso, the agreement allocates 2,866,900 euros for the year 2026. Key provisions include a residency indemnity of 1,766,900 euros for owners and managers of rural pharmacies, which will be distributed based on specific hardship indicators rather than purely geographic criteria.

A solidarity fund has also been established to support pharmacies with annual turnovers below 300,000 euros, with doubled contributions for those earning less than 150,000 euros. Additionally, the agreement focuses on the digitalization of administrative processes and the dematerialization of prescriptions to modernize pharmacy services.