Specialist pharmacies, new contract: pay rises to 270 euros and greater protection

From 1 October 2026, a professional allowance of 30 euros per month will also be introduced for pharmacists, in addition to 20 euros per month for pharmacists who administer vaccines and are actively involved in vaccination activities. For the latter, the total increase may therefore reach 270 euros per month once the scheme is fully operational. However, the professional allowance is not conditional upon the obligation to provide specific services: it represents contractual recognition of the professional expertise of pharmacists. This is a particularly important point. The pharmacy sector is changing, and community pharmacy is set to play an increasingly significant role. For this reason, the renewal also provides for an ongoing process of dialogue at national and regional level on the transformation of the pharmacy sector, the organisation of work, professional roles, training and safety.

There are also significant changes to the regulations: the premium rates for work on Sundays and public holidays have been increased to 40 per cent and, for hours worked in excess of 96 per year, to 60 per cent; this represents tangible recognition of the inconvenience and flexibility required of those who work on days normally set aside for rest.

With regard to part-time work, the agreement stipulates that part-time working hours must not be fewer than 16 hours per week.

From 1 January 2027, equal treatment between newly recruited and existing staff will also be restored with regard to the recognition of full hours of paid leave, namely 104 hours per year for all employees.

With regard to parenthood and work-life balance, the new contract guarantees, in the event of maternity leave, a top-up to the INPS allowance until it reaches 100 per cent of total remuneration, including the accruals for the thirteenth and fourteenth month’s salary. Also significant is the provision of an additional supplement of 10 per cent of the INPS parental leave allowance, if the leave is taken for a period of more than four consecutive months. In the case of parents of children with disabilities, the 10 per cent supplement will also be guaranteed where parental leave is taken on an hourly basis.

An article is also included which defines what constitutes harassment, introducing positive measures to change workplace culture, and providing tools to recognise and tackle it using appropriate means. Provision is made for a one-hour company-wide meeting dedicated to the issue, training and, for organisations with more than 15 employees, a dedicated representative role.

Satisfaction within the trade union movement. “The agreement, signed after 20 months of negotiations,” state Filcams Cgil, Fisascat Cisl and Uiltucs, “marks a significant shift in direction, guided by a forward-looking and shared vision. The new framework combines pay rises, recognition of professional expertise and new safeguards, establishing joint forums for ongoing dialogue aimed at steering the sector’s development. The draft agreement was reached following a long and significant campaign involving the participation of a vast number of workers across the country, and represents a fundamental achievement that strongly reinforces the role of collective bargaining. A historic achievement – the three organisations conclude – because, for the first time in the pharmacy sector, the Assofarm collective agreement for public pharmacies has been signed before the Federfarma collective agreement for private pharmacies.