Emergency Medicines Training

Training for pharmacists for the supply and administration of emergency medicines

Updated September 2025

Pharmacists who have completed the required training, are permitted to administer five medicines for the purpose of saving life or reducing severe distress in certain emergency situations:

  • anaphylaxis (adrenaline),
  • asthma attack (salbutamol inhaler),
  • hypoglycaemia (glucagon injection),
  • angina attack (glyceryl trinitrate aerosol),
  • opioid overdose (naloxone).

Read the legislation which allows for these services.

Review of Vaccination and Emergency Medicines Training Requirements for Pharmacists 2025 

The PSI undertook a review of the vaccination and emergency medicines training requirements for pharmacists.  As part of this review, we conducted research and engagement with pharmacists and a range of stakeholders. This information was used to make recommendations on how the training requirements could be changed or improved to ensure they continue to be appropriate and proportionate. The PSI Council approved the report of the review and the recommendations contained in the report at its meeting on 26 June 2025.

  1. Recommend all pharmacists to annually self-assess if they have the necessary skills and competencies to safely administer vaccines and/or emergency medicines.
  2. Pharmacists will be required to repeat the PAMT training programme in circumstances where they have had a two-year break in vaccination practice or longer.

  3. Review and update the support resources and tools available to assist pharmacists with self-assessment of their knowledge, skills and competencies to safely supply and administer vaccinations and emergency medicines. 

    As part of these support resources, explore the feasibility of:

    (i) developing online refresher training supports,

    (ii) development of a support tool to assist pharmacists with peer assessment and peer review with another trained vaccinator.

  4. Provide flexibility for pharmacists to maintain their competence on specific vaccines, outside of the current online training modules.

    Pharmacists will be required to have up to date knowledge on any vaccine which is administered and can meet the training requirements in this regard by completing the specific training modules, where available, and/or through review of, or having up-to-date knowledge in the relevant National Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for the vaccine and HSE guidance (where applicable).

    Pharmacists will be recommended rather than required to complete the available online training programmes for the specific vaccines. 

  5. The requirement to repeat the Delivery of a Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service training programme should be changed to self-assessment for all pharmacists.
  6. Make no changes to the current CPR, RESMA and emergency medicines training requirements, pending the outcome of the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) review of emergency medicines clinical and education standards.  

  7. Review and re-iterate communications provided to pharmacists on the importance of good governance of off-site vaccination services and additional complexity, operational and workflow considerations involved in offsite vaccination services in school settings.

    Monitoring of off-site vaccination services delivered by pharmacies should be considered.  

  8. Engage with the Department of Health and relevant sectors to explore legislative changes that would facilitate recognition of vaccination and emergency medicines training undertaken as part of national MPharm programmes.   

How can I complete training?

You can find more information about training and providers on the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) website. There you will find details on how to register and complete most of the required training programmes. Many of the training programmes are available online as e-learning programmes. There is a fee associated with the Medicines Administration (Parenteral) (PAMT) training programme which is a blended programme, involving both online and face to face components.

What training do I need to complete?

The training programmes you need to complete will depend on what services you wish to provide. A diagram of the training programmes is set out below. This is known as a ‘modular’ system of training. Some of the training programmes are the same as those required to supply and administer vaccinations. If you have competed training in these programmes previously, there is information on vaccination services training requirements to assist in determining whether you need to complete the training again. 

The training programmes for the specific emergency medicines you wish to administer can then be completed. This is illustrated in the diagram below.

Diagram illustrating pharmacist training requirements for the supply and administration of vaccines and emergency medicines

Flow diagram illustrating the process steps for Vaccinations and Emergency Medicines

Download PDF

 

COVID-19 Vaccinations used in the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and relevant HSeLanD module that can be completed as part of the required training

Information on COVID-19 vaccinations and the required training is available here. 

*The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) made significant changes to the Anaphylaxis Chapter of the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland in June 2022, which stated that “Adrenaline auto-injectors are not recommended as first line treatment by health professionals for the immediate management of anaphylaxis or suspected anaphylaxis following vaccination unless they are the only source of adrenaline available, as they may not allow IM delivery of an age appropriate dose”.

In the absence of any other National Guidelines for the immediate management of anaphylaxis in the community, PSI would consider it best practice for a pharmacist to administer Adrenaline (Epinephrine) intramuscularly from an ampoule, in all emergency circumstances (where indicated), in accordance with NIAC guidelines.

This would require the pharmacist to have valid training in:

  • CPR,
  • RESMA, and
  • PAMT

However, if only an Adrenaline (Epinephrine) auto-injector is available, or if you are only trained and competent to administer an Adrenaline (Epinephrine) auto-injector, this should be used.

Pharmacists should use their expert knowledge, skills and professional judgement to administer Adrenaline (Epinephrine) in line with national guidance in accordance with the product readily available to them, which they are trained and competent to administer.

How can I access training and how long is it valid for?

 

Information on how to access the training and the validity of the training is available here.

Emergency Medicines

Glyceryl Trinitrate Spray Two years - Available through IIOP
 
Salbutamol inhaler Two years - Available through IIOP
 
Glucagon Two years - Available through IIOP
 
Naloxone

Two years - Available through HSELand.

Pharmacists are required to undertake Module 1 entitled ‘Opioid Overdose Awareness and Naloxone Administration Training’. 

What do I need to do each year?

You should review the training requirements for the delivery of the service(s) you wish to provide each year. You should check that your training in each training programme is up-to-date. The self-assessment and self-declaration form can assist you with reflection on your skills and competency on delivering vaccination and emergency medicine services.

If you have any questions about the training requirements, you can email cpd@psi.ie.

In addition to completing the above training pathway, pharmacists should ensure that they are familiar with the most recent versions of both the NIAC and NIO national guidance documents on management of anaphylaxis. Pharmacists should be aware of updates to relevant national guidance and adapt their practices to reflect the most up to date information.

Useful resources