pharmacy in Rome: what travelers have figured out so far.

Practical Info

Rome has farmacias on almost every major street, marked by a green or red cross. The ones near tourist hotspots like Piazza di Spagna, the Pantheon area, and near Termini station are easy to find and tend to have longer hours. Italian pharmacists are knowledgeable and will actively help you figure out what you need.

Cost

Basic medications are cheap. Tachipirina costs about 3 EUR. Sunscreen at a pharmacy is 8 to 15 EUR. Some medications that are over the counter in other European countries require a prescription (ricetta) in Italy, so check with the pharmacist.

Practical tips

For after-hours pharmacy needs, Rome has farmacie di turno on night rotation. Farmacia della Stazione inside Roma Termini train station is open 24 hours. Farmacia di Santa Maria Maggiore near the basilica also keeps extended hours. Look for the turno sign on any closed pharmacy to find the nearest open one. For kids, Tachipirina is Italy's standard paracetamol brand and comes in pediatric drops, syrup, and suppositories. Italian pharmacists will ask the child's weight and age to recommend the right dose. Nurofen pediatric (ibuprofen) is also widely available. Mosquito repellent is worth picking up if you're visiting in summer since the Tiber River area gets buzzy at dusk.

Language

Pharmacists in central Rome generally speak some English. Near Termini and the Vatican, English is fairly reliable. In residential neighborhoods like Trastevere or Testaccio, having your request written down helps.

With kids

Italian pharmacies carry Tachipirina (paracetamol) for children in suppository and syrup form. The pharmacist will ask your child's weight for dosing. Baby formula, diapers, and rash cream are available at most pharmacies. For a wider baby product selection, look for a Prenatal store.

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Sources: CDC Travel Health: Italy · Federazione Ordini Farmacisti Italiani