Long-acting insulin analogue
Insulin Glargine in Italy: prescription, brands, pricing
This page summarises the situation of Insulin Glargine in Italy under AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco): prescription status, available brands and generics, pharmacy dispensing, and online options in EUR. Insulin Glargine belongs to the Long-acting insulin analogue class.
- Regulator
- AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco)
- Currency
- EUR
About Insulin Glargine
Insulin glargine is approved as basal insulin therapy in adults and paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus when oral or non-insulin injectable therapy is insufficient or contraindicated… Italy uses class A (mostly free under SSN), class C (patient pays) and SOP/OTC tiers. Prescriptions are issued via SSN doctors with electronic prescriptions widely adopted.
Mechanism and action
Insulin glargine binds the insulin receptor with similar affinity to human insulin, activating intracellular signalling that increases glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue, suppresses hepatic glucose production and promotes lipogenes…
Brands and generics in Italy
In Italy, Insulin Glargine is typically dispensed as one internationally recognised brand along with their corresponding authorised generics. Italian farmacie are heavily regulated independent businesses, with a strong pharmacist-as-consultant tradition. Para-farmacie can sell OTC products outside the traditional pharmacy network. Brand-to-generic substitution is decided by the pharmacist under local AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) equivalence rules, and the price difference in EUR is usually substantial.
Online and tele-prescribing access
Online sale of prescription medication is not permitted in Italy; AIFA-registered online pharmacies handle OTC only. Tele-prescribing through SSN doctors has expanded for chronic conditions. For Insulin Glargine specifically, the legal online options in Italy depend on its Rx-or-OTC classification under AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco).
Frequently asked questions
Is Insulin Glargine available in Italy? ▾
Yes — Insulin Glargine and its brands are available in Italy through pharmacies authorised by AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco), in various strengths depending on the commercial product. Authorised generics offer a lower-cost alternative with the same active substance.
Do I need a prescription for Insulin Glargine in Italy? ▾
Italy uses class A (mostly free under SSN), class C (patient pays) and SOP/OTC tiers. Prescriptions are issued via SSN doctors with electronic prescriptions widely adopted. The exact status of Insulin Glargine (Rx or OTC) is determined by AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco); most active ingredients in the Long-acting insulin analogue class require prescription, although there are exceptions by country and formulation.
How much does Insulin Glargine cost in Italy? ▾
The price in EUR depends on the manufacturer (brand vs authorised generic), the strength and the pack size. Generics are typically substantially cheaper than brands and serve as the economic reference for ongoing use.
Products with Insulin Glargine in Italy
Insulin Glargine in other countries
The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.