Expansion of pharmacy services available in Ireland

In November 2025, the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill signed new regulations under the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 authorising pharmacists to provide advice and offer expanded treatment options to patients for eight common conditions.

The Common Conditions Service (the ‘CCS’) enables pharmacists to prescribe certain prescription-only medicines, where appropriate, in line with HSE clinical protocols. The official launch of the service, which took place in the last week of January 2026, was welcomed by the Irish Pharmacy Union. Pharmacies interested in participating in the CCS were obliged to sign up by 01 December 2025. There are now 1,800 participating pharmacies across the Republic of Ireland (being 94% of all pharmacies).

The eight common conditions for which pharmacists can now offer advice and treatment are as follows:

1. Allergic rhinitis & allergic conjunctivitis.
2. Cold sores.
3. Infective Conjunctivitis.
4. Impetigo.
5. Oral thrush.
6. Shingles.
7. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) in women.
8. Vulvovaginal thrush.

In order to authorise community pharmacists to provide the CCS, updates were made to the regulatory framework for pharmacists, as follows: 

1. Legislative amendments to enable the CCS were signed into law by the Minister for Health in October 2025.
2. Pharmacists participating in the CCS are required to adhere to eight clinical protocols that have been developed by the HSE and approved by the Minister for Health.
3. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (the ‘PSI’) has published Guidelines to support the CCS and facilitate compliance with the legislative framework.
4. Pharmacists who wish to participate in the CCS must complete mandatory training specified by the PSI and developed in conjunction with the RCSI and the Irish Institute of Pharmacy.

The CCS aims to help patients get the support they need, while ensuring General Practitioner and hospital appointments are available for people with more complex health needs. It is a confidential fee-based service, regardless of medical card status. However, if a prescribed medicine is required, this may be available under the Drugs Payment Scheme or with a medical card.

All interested pharmacies were obliged to sign up to the CCS by 01 December 2025 and have until 31 March 2026 to complete the mandatory training.

For more information, please contact Ciara Hanratty, Danielle Sumner, or another member of the Healthcare team.

*This information is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute, nor should be regarded as, a substitute for taking legal advice that is tailored to your circumstances.