Former Minister Cirino pomicino raises Concerns Over Access to Antibiotic, But Experts Say System is Working
Rome, Italy – Former Minister Paolo Cirino Pomicino, 86, has voiced concerns about difficulties accessing a specific antibiotic needed for a recent feverish episode following a four-month hospitalization for pneumonia. His appeal, reported by Adnkronos, sparked questions about access to necessary medications, but medical experts are clarifying that the current system is functioning as intended.
The antibiotic in question is Linezolid, described by Matteo Bassetti, hospital infectiousologist and primary at the IRCCS Policlinico San Martino of Genoa, as “an antibiotic of the oxazolidinone class, very active towards staphylococci and in particular of the resistant staphylococcus.” it’s available in both intravenous and tablet form.
Bassetti emphasized that Linezolid remains a hospital drug, requiring a prescription from a hospital doctor. “There is no problem…it can be safely distributed also at the level of community pharmacies, but it needs the prescription of a hospital doctor. A territorial doctor, general practitioner, cannot prescribe it,” he explained to Adnkronos Salute. he further noted that restricting certain antibiotics to hospital prescriptions is standard practise, calling the controversy “a scale controversy.”
According to Bassetti, if Cirino Pomicino requires the medication, “The doctor who cared for him, who must be an evidently hospital doctor, prescribes it and the drug can be safely obtained.” He also underscored the importance of appropriate antibiotic use, stating, “The legislation works very well.”
The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) reinforces this point on its website, stating Linezolid is indicated for treating community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by sensitive gram-positive bacteria. AIFA guidelines stipulate that treatment with Linezolid “should only be started in the hospital and after consultation with a qualified specialist, such as a microbiologist or infectiousologist,” and that official guidelines on antibacterial use must be followed.
The situation highlights the balance between ensuring patients have access to necessary medications and maintaining responsible antibiotic stewardship to combat growing antibiotic resistance.
