In accordance with the international drug control system, entry into and exit from Italian territory with medicines containing controlled substances is permitted only for personal medical use, with a medical certificate or prescription valid for no more than 30 days.
The Ministry of Health Decree of 16 November 2007 sets out the procedures that travelers entering or leaving the country must follow if they need to carry medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances.
These procedures require the traveler to hold a specific medical certificate or prescription containing the information required by the decree.
The Central Medicines Office (Ufficio Centrale dei Farmaci) confirms that the medicine must be carried in its original, labeled packaging, in accordance with the requirements of the traveler’s country of residence, together with a valid medical certificate or prescription signed by the doctor. This is to demonstrate that the medicine, legally obtained by the traveler in the country of departure, has been prescribed for personal medical use.
The medical prescription should be kept by the traveler throughout their stay and shown upon entry into Italy at the request of the control authorities (for example, customs or police).
Interested persons are encouraged to visit the reference websites for more information on the specific requirements for the medical certificate or prescription, and to consult the ministerial tables listing the permitted medicines:
- Ministero della Salute – Travelling Internationally with Medicines Containing Controlled Substances
- https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/medicinali-stupefacenti-e-precursori-di-droghe/tabelle-delle-sostanze-stupefacenti-e/?paragraph=0
Please note that the consular authority does not issue any permit or documentation relating to the transport of medicines to and from Italy. Any questions about specific medicines may be addressed directly to the Ministry of Health, Directorate General for Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Service:
https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/ministero/direzione-generale-dei-dispositivi-medici-e-del-farmaco/