# Basilicata pharmaceutical co-payment sparks protests > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/basilicata-pharmaceutical-co-payment-implementation > Updated: 2026-09-02T18:15:27.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 3. Following the implementation of the 2.50 euro pharmaceutical co-payment on September 1, 2026, the Basilicata region has entered a period of heightened social and political tension. While the regional government maintains that the measure is necessary to address a 7 million euro deviation in pharmaceutical spending, the policy has triggered widespread backlash. Major trade unions, including Cgil, Cisl, and Uil, have organized protests at the regional headquarters to oppose the fee. Disability advocacy groups, such as Azione Disabili Marziolino ODV, have criticized the government, linking the new costs to broader healthcare issues including long waiting lists at the Potenza CUP. These groups have called for intervention from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and proposed the ‘Matera Medical Center Project’ to address medical congestion. The situation has also escalated into personal confrontations. During recent protests, Regional Health Councilor Cosimo Latronico was reportedly subjected to personal insults. While political figures such as Antonio Bochicchio, Piergiorgio Quarto, and Regional Councilor Roberto Cifarelli have condemned these verbal attacks and called for a reduction in tensions and respectful institutional debate, they continue to hold differing views regarding the legitimacy of the pharmaceutical ticket itself. Supporters of the measure, including representatives from Fratelli d'Italia, argue that the fee is essential for healthcare sustainability, noting that exemptions remain in place for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and the chronically ill. Regional officials have clarified that the decision was driven by the need to contain spending, which reached 7.38% of the Regional Health Fund, exceeding the national ceiling of 6.80%. Failure to implement such containment measures would have resulted in the loss of supplementary state funding. ## Claims - A fixed ticket of 2.50 euros has been introduced on pharmaceutical prescriptions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The new measure promotes appropriate consumption while protecting the balance of regional healthcare. (single source) - The population affected by the new tax exceeds 55% of Basilicata residents. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: Basilicata to introduce pharmaceutical co-payments to manage healthcare spending Basilicata will introduce a 2.50 euro co-payment on pharmaceutical prescriptions starting October 2026 to manage healthcare spending, sparking political debate and protests. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basilicata-healthcare-crisis-sparks-protests-and-political-tension ### 2026-08-31: Basilicata introduces €2.50 pharmaceutical co-payment Basilicata has introduced a €2.50 co-payment on pharmaceutical prescriptions to address a €7 million budget deviation, sparking political backlash and accusations of unfair financial burden on citizens. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basilicata-introduces-250-euro-fee-on-pharmaceutical-prescriptions ### 2026-08-28: Basilicata to introduce 2.50 euro pharmaceutical co-payment Basilicata will introduce a 2.50 euro co-payment for pharmaceutical prescriptions starting September 2026, exempting vulnerable groups and patients with chronic or rare diseases. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/basilicata-to-introduce-250-euro-pharmaceutical-co-payment --- Cite as: Basilicata pharmaceutical co-payment sparks protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/basilicata-pharmaceutical-co-payment-implementation