The Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacy

Page updated 10 July 2025 

What was the Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacy in Ireland? 

The Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacy in Ireland was established in July 2023 by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD. The Taskforce was asked to consider how pharmacists can expand upon their present scope of practice for the benefit of patients, the public and the wider health system. The Expert Taskforce examined the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland and published two reports. 

The work of the Expert Taskforce was divided into two phases:  

Phase 1: The first interim report was published in November 2023 and recommended that pharmacists be enabled to extend and dispense certain prescriptions from six months up to a maximum of 12 months where appropriate. 

Phase 2: The second phase of the Taskforce examined empowering pharmacists to prescribe within their scope of practice.  

The second and final report was published in August 2024. It recommends that pharmacists should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions, starting with an initial list of eight conditions which can be extended over time as the service evolves.  

The Taskforce also recommended, over the coming years, the introduction of independent pharmacist prescribing in Ireland and that independent pharmacist prescriber roles be developed across the health service within primary and secondary care settings. 

Further information  

The Expert Taskforce comprised of 13 experts with experience in pharmacy education and practice, healthcare policy and delivery, and other related disciplines. The Taskforce first met on 29 August 2023, publishing its final report in August 2024.  

You can read more about the work of the Taskforce on the Department of Health website.  

On 21 February 2024, the PSI ran a webinar in partnership with the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP). During the webinar, the PSI provided information on the expected legislative changes to facilitate the first recommendation of the Taskforce (to enable pharmacists to extend prescriptions). We also provided information on the broader work of the Expert Taskforce, with insights from the Chair of the Expert Taskforce, Dr Pat O’Mahony, and PSI registrar Joanne Kissane. You can access a recording of the webinar on the IIOP website.  

Community Pharmacy Expansion Implementation Oversight Group 

The Minister for Health established a Community Pharmacy Expansion Implementation Oversight Group to implement Taskforce recommendations that pharmacists be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions. 

The IOG is chaired by the Department of Health and includes key stakeholders – the HSE, the PSI, the HPRA, the IPU, patient representatives and practicing pharmacists.  

The PSI’s role on the group, as the pharmacy regulator, is to ensure that pharmacists have the necessary training and other regulatory supports to deliver a safe and effective common conditions service for patients and the public.