Sostituzione Farmaco Equivalente: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how you can lower your medicine costs in Italy by opting for equivalent medicines instead of brand-name versions.
This scheme allows you to choose a generic version of a medicine to help reduce your personal expenses. By opting for an equivalent version of a drug, you can manage your healthcare costs more effectively.
Who it's for
This scheme is available to all patients. Regardless of your specific medical condition, anyone who requires medication through the national healthcare system can request these alternatives.
What you get
The primary benefit is the ability to access medicines at a lower cost. When a doctor prescribes a medicine, there is often a "Farmaco equivalente"—an equivalent or generic version—that contains the same active ingredients. Choosing this version allows you to pay less for the same therapeutic effect compared to a brand-name medicine.
What it costs you
There is no specific extra fee to choose this option. You will still be responsible for paying the standard prescription fee required for your medication. The savings are realized through the lower price of the equivalent medicine itself.
The catch to know
The most important thing to understand is that the choice is not always automatic. Doctors have the professional authority to mark a prescription as "non-substitutable." If your doctor determines that a specific brand is medically necessary for your treatment, you may be required to purchase that specific brand, which may prevent you from choosing the lower-cost equivalent.
How to apply
- Consult with your doctor regarding your medication needs.
- Ask your doctor if the prescribed medicine has an equivalent version available.
- Check if the doctor has marked your prescription as "non-substitutable."
- Present your prescription at a pharmacy to request the equivalent medicine.