(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 12 - The share of pharmaceutical expenses shouldered by Italian citizens grew by 9.8% in 2023 compared to the previous year, data from medicine agency Aifa showed on Tuesday.
    Italians spent 7.1 billion euros with costs driven up by a rise in medicine prices and the prescription of more expensive drugs, Aifa said in its 2023 Osmed study.
    Overall, 54% of expenses (3.8 billion eurs) concerned prescription medicines with the remaining 46% over-the-counter medicines.
    The report on the use of pharmaceuticals in Italy said the most commonly purchased prescription drugs paid for by consumers included benzodiazepines, oral contraceptives and medication to treat erectile dysfunction for which 250 million euros were spent last year. (ANSA).