Unlike pharmacies in the United States, in Italy, they function very independently and such pharmacists can diagnose and prescribe medications as necessary. During my stay in Rome, I had the very unfortunate experience of fracturing my foot ( first day of arrival) and needed to get medical assistance nearby considering I could not walk. Friend stopped in search of an ankle brace and cane for me... although the staff in the pharmacy did not speak English, I think they were clearly able to understand what my friend went in for. Luckily they had what I needed to treat my fractured foot short term. Grazie! read more