Frequently Asked Questions for the Public

Yes, some medicines may be substituted by your pharmacist. Generic medicines are safe copies of well-known medicines that contain the same active ingredient as the product they are based on, and they are considered just as effective and as safe as the original or brand medicines.  Since 2013, the law in Ireland allows pharmacists to make a substitution in many cases. This is part of getting best value for patients, government and the taxpayer for the price of medicines. Generic medicines usually cost less than the original branded product.   

The different version of a medicine is only offered to you if it does the same job as the one on your prescription, if it has been included on an Interchangeable List published by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and provided that your doctor has not written “Do Not Substitute” on the prescription.   

It may not always be possible to switch to a generic medicine. For a small number of products, and for some people, it is not advisable to take different versions of a medicine. Your doctor and pharmacist will tell you if you should not change to a generic version of a medicine you are taking.   

Your pharmacist should explain, and you are entitled to ask about a substitution of medicines compared to what is written on your prescription and about any related pricing of the medicine.   

The HSE website and the HPRA both have more useful information about generic medicines.   

The pharmacist has a legal and professional responsibility to ensure that all medicines given to you in a pharmacy are safe and appropriate for you to take and that you get appropriate information.   

The pharmacist needs to be able to decide about giving you the appropriate medicine or if they think it is necessary to refer you to another healthcare professional. They may need you to tell them about your medical history and any medicines you are already taking. If used correctly, medicines offer great benefit, but if used incorrectly medicines have the potential to do harm. For example, some medicines should not be taken together because they may not work or because it could be dangerous.   

You should keep in mind that every pharmacy has a patient consultation area where you can have a private discussion with the pharmacist or member of the pharmacy team if you feel this is needed.   

The PSI has published a Patient Charter which contains information on what you can expect from your community pharmacist and how you can support them to offer care and services that are best for you.   

It may happen that a pharmacist decides that it is not appropriate or safe to dispense your legally valid prescription. It is part of the pharmacist’s role, as an expert in medicines, to review each prescription before it is dispensed to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you to take.   

The pharmacist should explain their actions to you and may refer you to another appropriate healthcare provider or service.

The prices charged for medicines can change from pharmacy to pharmacy. Different pharmacies may charge different prices and so it is helpful to discuss the price of your medicines with the pharmacist, and you can check prices with more than one pharmacy.  In some instances, the pharmacy may need to see the prescription before being in a position to provide an exact price.   

For prescription medicines paid for by the patient, the price may include a combination of the cost price (the price the pharmacy pays for the medicines), and/or a percentage mark-up, and/or a dispensing fee.     

The PSI does not have the power to control the price of medicines in pharmacies, but we believe that people have a right to information about the price they pay for their medicines.  

In 2025, the Minister for Health asked us to develop new guidelines that will apply to pharmacies so that patients can have an improved understanding of the price that they pay for products dispensed by a pharmacist and the services they use in pharmacies. This guidance in support of transparent pricing was published in late October 2025. You can read background information in the public consultation report here. 

From the 1 December 2025, pharmacies are required to display information about the cost of all professional services provided in the pharmacy, on a clear notice in a place where a patient can see it. In 2026, further work will be done to provide more detail on the receipts issued for medicines and professional services provided in pharmacies.

Yes, normally you can use a prescription that is written by a registered practitioner practising in another European Economic Area (EEA) Member State, if it meets certain legal requirements and that the type of medicine is available.   

When you give the prescription to the pharmacist, they will check the prescription to make sure all the legal requirements are met and they must also be satisfied that the medicine, including dose and quantity is safe and suitable for you to take. To do this they may need to ask you questions, discuss the treatment with you or contact your doctor to check details.

You will have to pay for the medicines that are being given to you.

Some medicines may only be dispensed by the pharmacist if the prescribing doctor is registered in Ireland. These medicines include ‘controlled drugs.

The pharmacist should be able to assist you if you have questions about this type of prescription.   

Most prescriptions written in the UK by registered doctors, dentists and nurse prescribers are legally valid in Ireland and can be dispensed in your local pharmacy. Your pharmacist will review the prescription to ensure it meets the relevant legal requirements. Further information can be found on our Brexit webpage.

Prescriptions written by doctors and other prescribers in countries outside of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), excluding the UK, are not legally valid in Ireland. Pharmacists cannot dispense these prescriptions or make an emergency supply of these prescriptions. Your pharmacist may refer you to an appropriate healthcare professional or service for further care.

A new Common Conditions Service  is available to the public from participating community pharmacies. The aim is to give people across Ireland faster access to trusted healthcare at a local pharmacy. This means that many community pharmacists will provide advice and offer expanded treatment options to patients for eight common conditions. This service includes the option for pharmacists to prescribe some prescription-only medicines for these conditions, where it is appropriate.  

The eight common conditions covered by the Common Conditions Service are:  

• Allergic Rhinitis
• Cold Sores
• Conjunctivitis
• Impetigo
• Oral Thrush
• Shingles
• Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• Vulvovaginal Thrush 

This A to Z list of health conditions can help you to understand more about each of the eight conditions and how to access appropriate professional care or treatment when it is needed.  

The Common Conditions Service is a private consultation service. Fees may vary across pharmacies. Any fees or costs associated with the new service should be clear and transparent to patients.   

Pharmacists in Ireland can now prescribe some medicines for eight common conditions, which previously could only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.  

A new Common Conditions Service is available to the public from participating community pharmacies. The service is provided by pharmacists who have completed specific training and who follow clinical protocols. The eight common conditions covered by the Common Conditions Service are:  

• Allergic Rhinitis
• Cold Sores
• Conjunctivitis
• Impetigo
• Oral Thrush
• Shingles
• Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• Vulvovaginal Thrush 

This A to Z list of health conditions can help you to understand more about each of the eight conditions and how to access appropriate professional care or treatment when it is needed.  

As part of the Common Conditions Service the pharmacist can: 

• assess symptoms
• provide advice on self-care
• recommend or supply appropriate treatments, including prescribing (where clinically appropriate)
• advise that patients contact their GP, if further care is needed 

Patients can expect to have a private consultation with the pharmacist.  

You always have the option to choose what pharmacy dispenses your prescription. It does not have to be dispensed in the pharmacy where the pharmacist issues the prescription. They can send it to another pharmacy if you prefer. 

The Common Conditions Service is a new service available at participating pharmacies in Ireland. The availability of this private consultation service is to give people across Ireland faster access to trusted healthcare for eight common conditions.  

You can expect to talk privately with the pharmacist about your healthcare needs. All pharmacies must have a consultation area where a patient can speak in confidence with a pharmacist. At the outcome of the consultation, the pharmacist may provide advice about self-care, prescribe a medicine if suitable, suggest over-the-counter or other treatment, or suggest referral to another healthcare professional, depending on what is the most appropriate option.  

In some pharmacies you may need to make an appointment for this service in advance. You can check directly with pharmacies about whether they are offering this private consultation service or search the HSE pharmacy finder. Prices may vary across pharmacies for the private consultation with the pharmacist for this service. Any fees or costs associated with the new service should be clear and transparent to patients.  

To offer the Common Conditions Service, pharmacists must complete specific training. This training builds upon pharmacists’ existing professional and clinical knowledge. Completion of this training allows your pharmacist to assess your needs, supported by clinical protocols (procedures) from the Health Service Executive (HSE).  Our website contains more detailed information about the training and resources relevant to pharmacists for this service. 

As with all care and treatment you receive in a pharmacy, you should expect to receive a safe and effective service. Any information and communication about the service, care and treatment should be clear and you should be treated with dignity and respect. Our Patient Charter sets out the level of care you can expect when you attend a community pharmacy. 

You can search the HSE Pharmacy Finder to locate a pharmacy offering the Common Conditions Service or check directly with pharmacies in your area.  

This is a private consultation service, and prices may vary for the Common Conditions Service across pharmacies. Any fees or costs associated with the new service should be clear and transparent to patients.  An appointment may be needed to ensure a pharmacist is available to provide the service at your preferred time. 

You should normally receive a patient leaflet or detailed information on the package for every prescription medicine you are dispensed by a pharmacist. This information includes vital details about the correct dose, instructions for use and potential side effects of the medicine.

It is important to take the time to understand your medicine, and to know how to take it properly. The pharmacist should also explain this to you.

Information about medicines can also be printed for you if needed. The HPRA website or the EMA website can be accessed and additional leaflets or further information about your medicines can be read and printed.

Yes, you have the right to ask for a copy of your medical records in the pharmacy you have been attending. Depending on your medical history it may be useful to have these available if you plan to change to a new pharmacy. It might be a good idea to arrange this in advance with the pharmacist because they might need time to have your records ready for you. It is part of the pharmacist’s role to keep your personal records up-to-date and confidential.   
   
Pharmacists have a professional duty of confidentiality to their patients, and like anyone holding personal information, pharmacists must comply with Data Protection legislation to ensure that people have privacy rights concerning their personal data.   
   
For further information on your rights under the Data Protection Acts, you might want to contact the office of the Data Protection Commission.

Pharmacists have a professional duty of confidentiality to their patients, and like anyone holding personal information, pharmacists must comply with Data Protection legislation. Data Protection legislation is in place to ensure that people have their personal data kept private and secure.

A pharmacist may be requested to share a patient’s healthcare records or information for different professional reasons. Doctors, carers and family members might make a request for the details. They may ask for information to be provided verbally or in writing. Under normal circumstances, the pharmacist should get clear consent from you, as the patient, before they share your information.  

Sometimes, a pharmacist may be required to share your information with someone else without patient consent and this has been allowed for in circumstances under Data Protection law. Examples of when it may be appropriate includes:   

• where the disclosure is required for the purpose of preventing, detecting or investigating offences against the law,   
• where the pharmacist is satisfied that the information is given to prevent injury, other damage to the health of a person, or otherwise to protect the vital interests of the patient. This might include a request from another healthcare professional for a patient history when a patient is seeking or undergoing medical treatment.   

A patient who is 16 years or older has the right to refuse access to their medical records by a parent or guardian.   

For further information on your rights under the Data Protection Acts, you might want to contact the office of the Data Protection Commission.

As the pharmacy regulator, we are the appropriate body to which any person can raise a concern or make a complaint about a pharmacist or a pharmacy.   
   
If you are unhappy with the service or care you have received in a pharmacy, this website outlines the steps you may wish to take. For example, you should ask to speak with the pharmacist in charge at the pharmacy. This person will be known as a supervising or superintendent pharmacist. If this does not resolve the matter, and you are concerned about the behaviour, conduct or practice of a pharmacist, or the service you have received in a pharmacy, you can contact us at the PSI.

Our Complaints and Concerns section has information to support you if you want to raise a matter with us, including how to make a formal complaint.  

Medicines that are no longer needed or are out of date are hazardous waste. It is important not to throw them in your household waste or pour them down the sink or toilet. This helps protect the environment and keeps others safe. Like all medicines, these medicines should be stored out of sight and reach of children until they are safely disposed of.

Pharmacists can provide information about appropriate methods for disposing of medicines. While some pharmacies accept unused and out of date medicines from the public for disposal, this is not a legal requirement, and policies may vary- check with your local pharmacy for their procedures. Contact details for pharmacies can be found on our public register.

Pharmacies must use an authorised waste management company for the safe disposal of waste medicines and are charged for this service.

Further information about safe medicine disposal can be found in PSI Guidelines on the Disposal of Medicinal Products for a Retail Pharmacy Business or on the mywaste.ie website. You can also contact your local civic amenity site to see if they accept unused or expired medicine waste.

From time to time, the HSE runs a DUMP (Dispose of unused medicines properly) campaign to provide an opportunity for the public to return unwanted or out of date medicines to participating pharmacies for free. Plans for a national DUMP programme are under consideration.

If you have sharps, needles and syringes, they must be disposed of safely in specialised sharps bins as they are categorised as medical waste. Pharmacists can provide information about appropriate methods for disposing of these.  

Further information about disposing of sharps such as syringes, can be found on the My Waste website.