Originally Posted by
ckendall
A few quick notes to add to perche's fine outline.
I have on a few occasions managed to obtain a drug that is available by prescription only in the US from an Italian pharmacist without a prescription. Once a friend needed something for a specific condition, we looked up the international name for the drug (on wikipedia; note that drugs often have different names in different countries), we went to the pharmacy and I described the condition and the drug her US doctor prescribed and it was sold to us directly.
Some things that are kind of generic (e.g., aspirin or saline solution) in the US are expensive at Italian pharmacies. Prices at a place like CVS/Walgreens can be much less for OTC products, so stock up on what you think you will need in the US or be prepared to pay several times as much.
On one occasion I used a private policlinico to see a doctor about what turned out to be hives. A friend made the appointment and for 100 Euros I saw a physician who immediately diagnosed what I had. I have to say though (despite perche's assurances above) she prescribed some pretty wacky medicine that my US physician thought was not helpful.
It is very true that what is prescription or not is very different in Italy. A typical antacid like Cimetidine, Prilosec, the drug companies fight, and say it's too dangerous without a doctor's prescription. So they remain expensive. However, as soon as the patent is about to expire, the same companies, wanting to keep sales up, start lobbying (and winning) that it is safe over the counter. So now you can buy Prilosec for 6 bucks. I don't smoke, but I noticed the costs of nicorettes, available only by prescription, become over the counter for 20% of the cost the moment the patent expired. It's only a matter of time, until patent expiration, that Viagra is sold over the counter (it's just an example).
The profit incentive is different in Italy. You can, if you are having a hard time with jet lag, get zolpidem from the pharmacist without a prescription. There is no way you will get a prescription pain medicine. The bottom line is, what is a prescription medicine in the USA is often determined by patent and profit. Italy has a different system, so medications are classified differently.