Italy healthcare sector corruption risk management

The Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC) has identified significant corruption risks within the country’s healthcare sector, noting that healthcare represents roughly 25% of total public contract spending.

Initial assessments highlighted vulnerabilities such as irregularities in waiting lists, favoritism in private practice within public facilities, suspicious accreditation processes, and improper influence regarding the marketing and prescription of drugs and medical devices.

Following these findings, ANAC approved a formal catalogue via resolution no. 318 to serve as a guide for entities within the National Health Service (SSN). This catalogue outlines specific high-risk areas including biomedical research, public procurement, and relationships between professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. To mitigate these risks, the authority proposed measures such as annual declarations of industry relationships, payment traceability, and protected whistleblowing channels. ANAC President Giuseppe Busìa noted that 8% of all whistleblowing reports are currently related to the healthcare sector.