He obtained a medical degree at University of Milan, specializing in Internal Medicine and Immuno-hematology.

He was Italian Minister of Health from June 2001 to April 2005 and he is known first for a smoking ban (Sirchia law) in all indoor public places.

[1] On 2 February 2005 he was investigated for corruption, after the suicide of his friend Francesco Mercuriali the previous 3 October.

On 3 March 2010, the appeal ruling confirmed the embezzlement in relation to about 300,000 Swiss francs taken from the Il Sangue foundation of which he was treasurer, but acquitted him of the corruption charge.

The penalty was thus reduced to 5 months in prison and € 600 fine: the Court of Appeal of Milan has therefore lifted the ban on public offices against Sirchia.