The Italian Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health introduced in Rome a new Decree which has just been approved, including measures to assure health protection as well as expense reduction.
The decree provides for the reorganization of the NHS and the Ministry of Health, and includes urgent provisions on specific health issues. The most relevant measures include a rearrangement of territory health assistance, new rules for private practice by NHS doctors, an update of the essential care levels and the promotion of healthy lifestyles (smoking and gambling).
Moreover, the health professional responsibility is further regulated, especially regarding the so called “defensive medicine”, i.e. the prescription of inappropriate laboratories tests and diagnostic procedures with the aim of avoiding any malpractice liability.
The decree also provides for interventions and measures on food safety and animal health, hospital building and research, and aims at assuring more transparence in the appointment of NHS general managers and head physicians.
As for pharmaceutical management, the decree will assure prompt access to innovative reimbursed drugs by patients in all Italian regions. Out-of-date pharmaceuticals will be deleted from the National Reimbursement List (PFN) and pilot schemes for new tailored made pack-sizes will be implemented in order to reduce product waste and misprescription.
