The new Decree including measures to assure health protection as well as expense reduction has just been published in the Italian OJ (no. 214 of September 13th 2012).
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). 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.
The decree also assures prompt access to innovative reimbursed drugs by patients in all Italian regions. Out-of-date pharmaceuticals will be moved to Class C (not reimbursable) of the National Reimbursement List (PFN), while the price of effective but expensive drugs will have to be renegotiated or theye will be excluded from the the List within 2013. Moreover non authorized drugs will be reimbursable when their safety and indication equals PFN drugs but only if the mean treatment costs are at least 50% lower. Also pilot schemes for new tailored made pack-sizes will be implemented in order to reduce product waste and misprescription.
Finally, the Decree includes updated procedures regarding pharmaceutical and some provisions on homeopatics, veterinary products and hormones.
