Italy Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030

The diabetes drug market in Italy is witnessing steady growth, driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes, government healthcare initiatives, technological innovations, and rising healthcare awareness. As of the latest estimates, over 5.0 million Italians roughly 11% of the population live with diabetes. The total annual diabetes-related expenditures in the Italy reached $15.42 billion in a year. Diabetes-related healthcare spending per person can run into thousands of euros yearly, and with an aging population and rising obesity rates (about 10% of adults), these figures are expected to increase. Diabetes management costs in Italy have risen due to the disease's increasing prevalence and the advent of high-cost medications such as biologics and sophisticated oral treatments. According to the Italian Ministry of Health, healthcare expenditures for diabetes treatment have consistently climbed, potentially straining public health budgets and limiting patients' access to treatment. Also, the high cost of advanced diabetic medications can result to patients choosing older, less effective therapies, lowering the overall effectiveness of diabetes management. The government’s strong support system through the National Health Service ensures that diabetes medications and devices are reimbursed under the country’s essential healthcare coverage, eliminating out-of-pocket costs for patients. Italy’s regulatory framework, led by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), promotes the rapid approval and reimbursement of newer drug classes such as SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists. The country’s healthcare infrastructure includes over 680 specialized diabetes centers, offering structured, accessible care to patients across regions. Nevertheless, public investment, such as the €1.6 billion recovery fund allocation, is helping improve access to telemedicine and advanced diabetes technologies. Legislative advancements, like Law 130/2023, have also promoted CGM use, especially among pediatric type 1 diabetes patients.

According to the research report ""Italy Diabetes Drug Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Italy Diabetes Drug market is anticipated to grow at more than 6.15% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The Italy Diabetes Drugs market is influenced by geographical disparities in healthcare infrastructure, accessibility, and awareness. Northern Italy, with cities like Milan and Turin, leads in advanced diabetes treatments due to well-developed healthcare facilities and higher patient awareness. Central Italy, including Rome and Florence, benefits from strong public health policies and research institutions, ensuring steady demand for both traditional and innovative diabetes drugs. Southern Italy, including Naples and Palermo, is witnessing growth due to increased healthcare investments and rising diabetes prevalence. Moreover, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) is responsible for regulating diabetes drugs in Italy, and requires rigorous testing and approval processes before drugs can be approved for use. This can be a time-consuming and costly process for pharmaceutical companies, and may limit the number of new diabetes drugs that are brought to market in Italy. Additionally, AIFA may require post-marketing surveillance and monitoring, which can add additional costs and complexity to the drug development process. Chiesi Farmaceutici entered into a licensing agreement with Zealand Pharma to commercialize glepaglutide, a GLP-2 agonist for the treatment of short bowel syndrome, in Italy and other European countries. In Italy, diabetes drugs are typically reimbursed through the country's National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN), which provides coverage to all citizens and legal residents. The reimbursement system is based on a formulary, which is a list of drugs that are approved for reimbursement by the SSN. To be included on the formulary, a diabetes drug must demonstrate a significant benefit over existing treatments, and its cost must be reasonable in relation to its benefit. The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) considers a range of factors when making reimbursement decisions, including the drug's clinical effectiveness, its cost, and its impact on patient outcomes.

Insulin, indispensable for type 1 diabetes and often used in advanced type 2 cases, remains a core treatment, particularly among Italy’s aging population, who may develop insulin resistance or beta-cell failure. The Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) ensures widespread access to insulin, but the rising preference for long-acting analogs like insulin glargine over human insulin reflects a growing demand for products that reduce hypoglycemia risk and simplify dosing. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, are gaining strong momentum in Italy due to their dual benefits: glycemic control and weight loss. With obesity rising across Italian regions, these agents are increasingly prescribed for type 2 diabetes patients with cardiovascular risk, supported by evidence from clinical trials like LEADER and SUSTAIN-6. The reimbursement of GLP-1 agonists by the SSN for specific high-risk patients further stimulates their uptake, although their higher cost compared to other classes may limit broader adoption. Meanwhile, DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin, vildagliptin) remain a widely used oral therapy due to their weight-neutral profile, ease of administration, and lower risk of hypoglycemia, particularly suitable for elderly patients who comprise a large share of Italy’s diabetic population. SGLT2 inhibitors, including empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, have seen a sharp rise in usage in Italy, driven by their proven cardiovascular and renal protective effects beyond glucose control. Their inclusion in updated national and European treatment guidelines has strengthened their positioning, especially among patients with comorbid heart failure or chronic kidney disease.

The demand for fast-acting and long-acting insulin formulations is especially strong among Type 1 patients. Italy has been proactive in supporting access to insulin and insulin delivery technologies such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps, especially for pediatric and adolescent populations, through its national health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). Furthermore, the prevalence of Type 1 diabetes in Italy has been gradually rising, with an annual incidence rate of around 12–15 cases per 100,000 children, prompting government initiatives focused on early diagnosis and school-based support programs. Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with aging, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary habits, which are prevalent issues in Italy’s aging population. According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), over 3.5 million people in Italy are living with diabetes, and the incidence continues to rise, particularly among those over 65 years old. This has driven increased demand for a broader spectrum of oral hypoglycemic agents and combination therapies, such as metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Italy has seen a significant uptick in the adoption of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in recent years due to their cardiovascular and renal protective benefits, which are especially relevant given the high comorbidity burden among older Type 2 patients.

Oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) such as metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors are widely prescribed due to their ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and strong patient adherence. Italy's universal healthcare system, which reimburses many oral antidiabetic drugs, further boosts their accessibility. The growing preference for oral fixed-dose combination therapies also supports this segment, especially among the aging population and patients with multiple comorbidities, where simplification of treatment regimens is essential. The subcutaneous route is vital, especially in managing Type 1 diabetes, which requires insulin therapy. Italy has a well-established insulin delivery infrastructure, including widespread availability of insulin pens and pumps. Subcutaneous administration is also used for GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have gained popularity for Type 2 diabetes patients struggling with weight and glycemic control. The increased use of once-weekly GLP-1 therapies reflects Italy’s demand for convenience and improved compliance. Italian endocrinologists and diabetes specialists often favor subcutaneous treatments for patients needing tighter glycemic control, especially when oral medications prove insufficient. Government programs and regional health authorities support these therapies through reimbursement policies and diabetic care plans integrated with educational initiatives. Intravenous administration, while less common in outpatient diabetes management, is significant in acute care settings such as hospitals, where intravenous insulin is used for critically ill patients, during surgeries, or in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In Italy, hospital protocols ensure rapid-acting insulin delivery in emergency scenarios through IV routes, often managed by specialized teams. While not a mainstream method for long-term diabetes management, intravenous treatment is indispensable in critical care units, especially in northern Italy’s well-equipped urban hospitals.

Hospital pharmacies are critical for managing severe and complex diabetes cases, particularly inpatients and those needing injectable therapies such as insulin analogs or GLP-1 receptor agonists. These pharmacies often handle high-cost biologics and specialized drugs, and they are typically integrated with National Health Service (SSN) hospitals. In Italy, public hospitals account for a significant portion of the drug expenditure, and distribution through hospital pharmacies ensures adherence to national procurement strategies and budgetary control, especially in regions with autonomous health governance such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna. Retail pharmacies remain the backbone of diabetes drug distribution in Italy due to their extensive reach and the trust they command within communities. With more than 19,000 pharmacies across the country, they are accessible even in remote towns. Retail pharmacies dispense a wide range of antidiabetic drugs, including metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, and fixed-dose combinations. These pharmacies are vital for chronic disease management, offering counseling services and supporting medication adherence. The Italian government has supported pharmacy-based services through initiatives like “pharmacy of services” (farmacia dei servizi), enabling diabetes screenings, therapeutic education, and follow-ups. Online pharmacies are experiencing growing demand in Italy, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated digital health adoption. While regulatory constraints in Italy limit online sales to non-prescription drugs unless authorized, the market is expanding for OTC diabetes care products like glucose meters, test strips, and nutritional supplements.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Diabetic Drug Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Drug Class
• Insulin
• GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
• DPP-4 Inhibitors
• SGLT2 Inhibitors
• Others (metformin, sulfonylureas, and combination therapies)

By Diabetes
• Type-1
• Type-2

By Route of Administration
• Oral
• Subcutaneous
• Intravenous

By Distribution Channel
• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies Show more