off-campus & additional Medical Services

In Italy, there is no direct equivalent to “Urgent Care.” Emergency rooms are designated for serious or life-threatening cases. For minor health concerns, students are encouraged to contact the campus nurse or consult a local doctor. 

Staff from the Office of Student Life assist with medical needs, navigate local hospitals, and provide services such as accompaniment, translation, general support, and administrative assistance.  Students should call the Office of Student Life if they think they need to visit the hospital. If a student arrives at an emergency room without NYU assistance, they should get in contact with the OSL as soon as they can to explain their situation and provide the name of the hospital.  Staff will attempt to join you at the hospital as quickly as possible.

In Florence, there are two main hospitals:

• Careggi Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 17, General Careggi switchboard tel: 055 7947 111

• Santa Maria Nuova, Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1 Tel: 055 69381

Please note that many medications that are available in the US and other countries are also available in Italy, although brands, dosage, and composition may vary. Students who take prescription medication should check with GeoBlue in advance to ensure that their medication is available in Italy, and if it isn’t, plan to bring an adequate supply with them upon arrival.  Students can do so by checking the GeoBlue website or contacting the on-campus nurse, Francesca Lacchia, at fl2422@nyu.edu. 

Foreign prescriptions: These are not accepted in Italy.  They must be translated and rewritten by a local doctor.  Medical documentation may be required to obtain a translated prescription, so be sure to bring your doctor’s diagnosis, the generic name for your medication, and any treatment statements with you. The on-campus doctor can assist you with the refill. 

Shipping Medication: Please note that shipping medication, including over-the-counter medicine and vitamins, results in issues with Italian customs, which can take months to be solved.  Packages containing medication are stopped at customs and inspected, and documentation from local doctors is required for release. Upon receipt of documentation, customs officials may authorize delivery of the package with hefty fees to the receiver or return the package to the sender at the sender’s expense (this usually happens when the same medication is available locally).  The OSL strongly discourages students from receiving medication of any kind by mail or courier.

ADHD Medication: Note that in Italy, ADHD medication is not available to individuals aged 18 and older.  If you take these medications, please plan accordingly for the time you plan to stay abroad.  If this is not possible, ask the OSL or the on-campus psychologist for assistance in finding a solution.

Medication Reimbursement: Medication is prescribed by a local doctor; remember to keep the receipts, as in many cases, GeoBlue will refund you for this expense. 

Pharmacists in Italy are trained extensively and qualified to give medical advice for minor ailments.  Tell the pharmacist what’s ailing you, what medications you’re taking, and which you’re allergic to, and they will suggest what you should take. Antibiotics and many other medicines are provided only with a prescription from a doctor.  Prescription medication tends to be relatively inexpensive. There are hundreds of pharmacies scattered throughout Florence, and some of them are open 24 hours a day. During nocturnal hours, patrons may need to ring a doorbell for service. The following pharmacies might come in handy:

• Farmacia Comunale Santa Maria Novella - Apoteca Natura: Piazza della Stazione, 055216761. This pharmacy is open 24/7. For entering after 7 pm, make sure to go around the corner and ring the bell. 

• Farmacia Ponte Rosso Dr. Perini Renzo: Via Bolognese 1R. This is the closest pharmacy to the NYU Florence campus, and they often work with the on-campus nurse. 

• Antica Farmacia Molteni: Via Masaccio 262b. This pharmacy delivers medication at home. For more information about this service click here!