Further Expansion of Community Pharmacy Services Signalled

The Government is considering proposed legislation to allow pharmacists to provide repeat contraception prescriptions in defined circumstances, marking a further step in the expansion of community pharmacy services and the State’s free contraception scheme.

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, is expected to seek Government approval to publish the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026, which would amend the legal framework and allow participating pharmacists to continue prescriptions for short-acting reversible contraception where a patient has already received an initial GP prescription. This development reflects the recommendations of the Expert Taskforce to support the role of pharmacy services.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland had indicated that a new pharmacy service is being developed to enable pharmacists to continue short-acting reversible contraception prescriptions. It is proposed that the service will be introduced in 2026, supported by regulation and training.

Under the proposed model, the GP remains the first prescriber, with pharmacists authorised to provide repeat prescriptions only where clinical criteria are met. These criteria are expected to include checks such as blood pressure, weight and relevant risk factors. For pharmacists and pharmacy owners, the Bill would be a significant operational and regulatory development with participating pharmacies required to comply with the statutory framework, clinical protocols, record-keeping obligations and training requirements.

Any GP who has concerns over higher risk patients may indicate that these patients continue to see their GP and do not take part in the pharmacy scheme. Pharmacists will be keen to ensure the development of processes for referring patients back to their GP, including where new clinical concerns arise or more frequent medical review is required.

Media reporting indicates that the Department of Health has prepared clinical protocols and training materials with clinicians, pharmacy representatives and regulators, although final protocols have not yet been published.

For patients, the change could improve access by reducing routine GP appointments solely for contraception renewals. Women aged 17 to 35 are currently eligible for the free contraception scheme, which covers GP consultations, prescription charges and various contraceptive options. The proposed reforms would add pharmacies as an alternative route for repeat prescriptions while preserving access to GPs.

It is considered that the detail in the draft legislation will be important. Stakeholders will be monitoring the publication of the Bill and the proposed clinical protocols, including eligibility criteria, pharmacist training requirements, reimbursement arrangements and safeguards for higher-risk patients. The legislation will be closely watched by healthcare providers, pharmacy operators, insurers and public health stakeholders as Ireland continues to redefine the boundaries of community pharmacy practice.

For more information, please contact Sinead Keavey, Ciara Hanratty, 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.