Expansion of pharmacy services
A number of changes to pharmacy practice are being introduced to expand the range of pharmacy services available to patients and the public in Ireland. You will find more information on these important changes below.
A Common Conditions Service is available to the public across participating pharmacies. It was developed by the Department of Health with input from key stakeholders, including the PSI. The service expands community pharmacists’ ability to manage an initial eight common conditions by enabling them to supply certain prescription-only medicines through established clinical protocols, where this is the most appropriate option.
This service is being developed so that pharmacists may provide repeat prescriptions for some forms of contraception, following an initial prescription from a GP. It is expected to be introduced later in 2026.
Pharmacists can extend prescriptions written for six months for up to a further six months where, in their professional judgement, it is safe and appropriate to do so and once defined criteria have been met.
Further information on the work and recommendations of the Expert Taskforce.
Staying up to date
This is a significant period of change for pharmacy in Ireland. The PSI’s focus is to ensure that the necessary training, education, and regulatory supports are in place for pharmacists, to underpin continued safe and effective pharmacy services for the public.
We will continue to update pharmacists as this work progresses, through email communications directly with pharmacists, on our website and our social media channels.
