Pharmacies
Special Prescriptions
Laboratory Tests
Vaccinations in Italy
Vaccines for the traveler
Tropical Fevers
For Foreigners
Advance Directives (Biotestamento)
Sports Certificates
Mind and body wellness
Associations

Healthcare resources

Pharmacies

To find the nearest open pharmacy, click here. Most pharmacies are open from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Friday, and from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays.

Local Pharmacies:

  • Farmacia Santa Sabina: Located at Viale Aventino n. 78.
  • Farmacia Trastevere: Located at Viale Trastevere, 80 (open 24 hours).
  • Farmacia San Paolo: Located at Viale Ostiense, 168 (open 24 hours).

Pharmacists can provide medication instructions in any language you prefer.

Special Prescriptions

 Almost all medications available abroad are also available in Italy, although the brand name may differ. 

If one pharmacy doesn’t have the prescribed medication, another one might. 

If the pharmacist states that the prescribed medication is no longer available or is difficult to find, you can ask them to check the “Pharmaceutical Information” database or try the Vatican Pharmacy near St. Peter’s – via di Porta Angelica, entrance Porta Sant’Anna. 

If you go to the Vatican Pharmacy, please bring your prescription and a valid ID for registration at the gate. Access to the pharmacy will not be granted without these documents.

Laboratory Tests and Clinical Investigations

Laboratory tests are carried out in specialized laboratories or within healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, or clinics.

Most laboratories have limited morning hours for blood draws, typically from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Others may have extended hours; we recommend checking with the specific laboratory beforehand.

A fast of approximately 8 hours is often required before a blood draw. For young children, this fasting period is usually shortened to 3 hours.

The laboratory you choose may have an agreement with your insurance provider; please inquire about this.

Payment is typically required on the day of the blood draw.

You can usually collect your test results in person, either in paper format or electronically. For electronic results, you will need a password provided by the laboratory.

Upon request, some laboratories can send the test results directly to your doctor via email.

For diagnostic imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRI, colonoscopy, etc.), it is always necessary to make an appointment at the facility where you wish to have the exam performed.

We regularly collaborate with the following facilities for laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging:

  1. Casa di Cura “Santo Volto”, Piazza del Tempio di Diana 12 (50 meters from our office), tel.: 06 5729921 
  2. Casa di Cura “Salvator Mundi International Hospital”, Via delle Mura Gianicolensi n.67, tel.: 06 588961. They offer all-day laboratory tests and X-rays, can send results via fax or email directly to us, and provide home visits for those who are too ill to come in. 
  3. Centro Diagnostico, Via Pigafetta 1, tel. 06 571071 
  4. Casa di Cura “Villa Margherita”, Via di Villa Massimo, 48, tel. 06 44233146: excellent radiology department (ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc.) 
  5. Laboratorio “Flaminio 9”, Piazzale Flaminio, 9, tel. 06 3611565: excellent for children.

Vaccinations in Italy

Vaccinations have been mandatory in Italy since June 2017. Decree Law 7 June 2017, no. 73 requires the following vaccinations for children aged 0 to 16:

  • Polio
  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Hepatitis B
  • Pertussis
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Measles
  • Rubella
  • Mumps
  • Varicella

Additionally, the following vaccinations are recommended but not mandatory:

  • COVID-19
  • Meningococcal B
  • Meningococcal C
  • Pneumococcal
  • Rotavirus

For more information about the National Vaccination Prevention Plan (PNPV) 2023-2025, click here.

Following the introduction of mandatory vaccinations in Italy, vaccination rates for diseases such as measles, varicella, rubella, and mumps have increased; however, isolated cases can still occur. We recommend that you carefully check your children’s vaccination records and discuss them with our pediatricians.

While the hepatitis A vaccination is not mandatory or recommended, it is possible to contract hepatitis A by eating raw shellfish. However, this is a relatively rare occurrence.

Travel Vaccinations

All vaccinations, except for Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever, can be administered at Aventino Medical Group. Vaccinations for Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever, as well as all other vaccinations, can be administered at the following international vaccination center:

Tropical Fevers

Spallanzani Hospital (Via Portuense 292), specializing in infectious diseases, has an outpatient clinic that sees patients by appointment.

For patients with public healthcare: You need to call the RECUP at 069939 with a prescription for a “visit for tropical diseases”.

For patients without public healthcare: You need to call the RECUP at 069939 and press 2 to request a private visit.

Booking hours: Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Direct access without a prescription is reserved for:

  • Healthcare workers who have been exposed to blood or bodily fluids (occupational accidents or unprotected sexual intercourse) and require immediate post-exposure prophylaxis. The Institute is the regional reference point for this.
  • Patients who have a high fever upon returning from tropical countries. The doctor must rule out or confirm a tropical disease, which requires prompt treatment and prophylaxis that can be provided by the Institute if necessary.

For Foreigners

A few tips for staying healthy in Rome: Rome’s water supply is safe to drink and comes from carefully monitored sources. The water system, primarily managed by Acea, relies on various sources: 

  • 85% from springs 
  • 12% from well
  • 3% from surface sources like Lake Bracciano. 

For water composition details, visit Acea’s official website. The Tiber River and some nearby beaches are known for pollution. However, most beaches have treatment plants, making them suitable for swimming. 

Due to its microclimate and vegetation, Rome can trigger allergies. Additionally, please note that contraception and abortion are legal in Italy.

Advance Directives (Biotestamento)

Since January 31, 2018, Italians have the right to choose their medical treatment in case of serious illness. For more information on how to create your “advance directive” (biotestamento in Italian), please follow the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health at the following link: Disposizione anticipata di trattamento.

Sports Certificates

In Italy, there are three main types of medical certificates required for engaging in sports activities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each, including what they entail and the necessary exams:

  • Certificate for Recreational Physical Activity:
  • Description: This certificate is required for those engaging in non-competitive physical activities such as gym workouts, dance classes, jogging, and other recreational pursuits. While not legally mandatory, it is often requested by gyms and sports centers for insurance purposes.
  • Required Exams:
    • Complete medical history
    • General physical examination
    • Blood pressure measurement
    • Resting electrocardiogram (ECG) (optional but recommended in some cases)
  • Certificate for Non-Competitive Sports:
  • Description: This certificate is necessary for those participating in non-competitive sports competitions, such as amateur tournaments and school sports events. It is mandatory for certain categories, such as students and participants in events organized by the CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) or affiliated sports clubs.
  • Required Exams:
    • Complete medical history
    • General physical examination
    • Blood pressure measurement
    • Resting electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Certificate for Competitive Sports:
  • Description: This certificate is mandatory for those practicing sports at a competitive level and participating in official competitions organized by recognized sports federations. It requires a thorough evaluation of the athlete’s physical condition.
  • Required Exams:
    • Complete medical history
    • General physical examination
    • Blood pressure measurement
    • Resting and stress electrocardiogram (ECG)
    • Spirometry
    • Urine test
    • Additional specific tests based on the sport (e.g., ECG, cardiopulmonary exercise test)

Mind and body wellness

Yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Reiki, Mindfulness, Pilates, outdoor activities… We offer a wide range of options. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Support Groups and Associations

Here is a list of support groups based in Rome with their respective contact information:

1 Alcoholics Anonymous:

  • Tel: 06 855 8186 or 06 663 6629
  • Website

2 Overeaters Anonymous:

3 Ryder Italia (for cancer patients and their families):

4 Telefono Amico Italia (Suicide prevention hotline in English and Italian, “I Samaritani”):

5 Narcotics Anonymous:

6 Gamblers Anonymous:

7 Self-Help Group for Depression:

8 Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society (AISM):

  • Tel: 06 495 8001
  • Website

9 Italian Alzheimer’s Association (AIMA):

10 Self-Help Group for Anxiety and Panic Attacks: