Minister for Health welcomes publication of Guidance to Support Transparency of Medicines Pricing and Fees for Pharmacy Services
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 23 October 2025
- Last updated on: 23 October 2025
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has welcomed the publication of new guidance supporting the transparency of medicine pricing and fees for pharmacy services.
This guidance has been developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) – the pharmacy regulator – to assist pharmacists in providing clear and accessible pricing information to the public.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“Community pharmacies are at the heart of our healthcare system; they are among the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals. This guidance will strengthen that trust even further, with access to information about the cost of services pharmacists deliver being made available to the public for the first time
“I am grateful to the PSI for developing this guidance as I believe patients need visibility of the fees they are paying for dispensing services when purchasing their prescription medicines.
"We are growing the role pharmacists play in our community with the recent Community Pharmacy Agreement and this guidance on pricing transparency, beginning from 1 December, will help people better understand exactly what they’re paying for their medication and associated services.”
- From 1 December 2025:
Pharmacies will be required to display information about the cost of all professional services on a clear notice in a conspicuous location, visible to patients.
- From 2026:
Patients will receive a detailed, a receipt for any transaction outlining the costs of the medicine dispensing fee (where applicable) the cost of any other professional service.
PSI Registrar, Joanne Kissane said:
“The PSI is committed to assuring safe, high-quality pharmacy services are available to patients and the public. As part of this, we believe that access to pricing information is essential to empower individuals to make informed healthcare decisions. While we do not determine the prices charged by pharmacies, patients have a right to transparent and accurate information on the price of the medicines and health services they access.
“Transparency of fees and pricing maintains and enhances public confidence in pharmacists and enables patients to make informed decisions about their health and treatment. The new guidance will provide patients with an improved understanding of the fees they pay for the products and services they use in pharmacies.”