Stable consumption: almost 2 doses per person per day in 2024. Overall pharmaceutical expenditure has increased (+2.8%), driven by increased public expenditure (+7.7%) in the face of an increasing number of innovative and high-cost therapies reimbursed by the NHS. Citizens spend more on non-prescription medicines (SOP and OTC) and do not give up on the brand-name drug, especially in the South. There is still considerable regional variability in terms of consumption, expenditure, adherence and appropriateness. 

These are some key points of AIFA’s 2024 National Report on Medicines Use in Italy (OsMed), published on the institutional portal.

AIFA’s President Nisticò: “More appropriateness and optimal use of resources to balance innovation and sustainability”

“The OsMed Report is a key instrument for guiding health policy and ensuring the responsible and sustainable management of resources,” said AIFA’s President Robert Nisticò. “The 2024 edition highlights Italy’s ongoing commitment to therapeutic innovation and public health protection, even amid growing economic and social challenges.
There are encouraging signs, such as the increase in the number of advanced therapies and medicines for rare diseases reimbursed by the NHS, and the savings generated through the inclusion of equivalent medicines in AIFA’s transparency lists. However, there is still room for improvement.
The rise in prescriptions for psychiatric drugs among younger populations underscores the urgent need to prioritize mental health support for children and adolescents. It remains essential to continue promoting the use of generics— which, while steadily increasing, still lags behind other countries—alongside improving adherence to therapies, prescribing appropriateness, and the optimal use of available resources.
These efforts are crucial to ensuring access to innovation and the best possible treatment options for patients, while safeguarding the sustainability of the National Health Service. Achieving these goals requires ongoing dialogue and collaboration with regional authorities, with the shared objective of maximizing resource efficiency and ensuring equitable access to care across the country.”
AIFA’s Technical-Scientific Director Russo: “In Italy, per capita expenditure is in line with the European average and prices are among the lowest”

“The OsMed Report offers a comprehensive annual overview of medicine use in Italy,” noted AIFA’s Technical-Scientific Director, Pierluigi Russo.

“While certain trends—such as significant regional variability—persist year after year, the 2024 edition introduces new insights. Despite areas where improvement is still needed across various therapeutic sectors, Italy’s per capita pharmaceutical expenditure remains broadly aligned with the European average and is lower than Germany, France, and Spain. Moreover, drug prices in Italy are significantly below the European average.” Key areas requiring attention include new antidiabetics, which are also effective in weight reduction, psychiatric medications in paediatrics, advanced therapies (gene and cell) and orphan drugs for the treatment of rare diseases.”.