Minister for Health announces successful conclusion of talks with the Irish Pharmacy Union on a new Pharmacy Agreement
- Foilsithe: 12 Meán Fómhair 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Meán Fómhair 2025
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is delighted to announce the successful conclusion of talks between the State and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) on a new Community Pharmacy Agreement.
The Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 has been delivered following extensive negotiations between the department, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU). The Agreement sets out a comprehensive and ongoing pathway to modernise and expand the role of community pharmacy in Ireland’s healthcare services.
Speaking today, the Minister for Health said:
"This Agreement marks a new chapter for community pharmacy in Ireland. I extend my sincere thanks to the Irish Pharmacy Union for their collaborative approach to these negotiations. The IPU has been a strong advocate for the profession, and this Agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together in partnership.
"Community pharmacists are among the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals. I have set out my ambition to see the role of community pharmacists grow and expand to support patients and build capacity in our health services. This Agreement provides the structure and pathway towards delivering this ambition over the years ahead."
The Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 supports commitments to expand pharmacy services, provides new investment in the sector, supports value for money and modernisation and digital reform.
The Minister continued:
"We know that patients want timely access to care in their own communities. Through this Agreement, we are further enabling community pharmacists to do more –supporting the establishment of the Common Conditions Service, establishing new unused medicines return service and developing a role for community pharmacy in supporting public health measures, including targeting improved uptake of the BowelScreen Service. This is about making healthcare more responsive, more sustainable and more centred on patients’ needs."
The Community Pharmacy Agreement will be implemented on a phased basis and will be supported by structured engagements between the department, HSE and the IPU.
Notes
There has been ongoing engagements and meetings between the department, HSE and the IPU in various formats over an extended period of time. These engagements have focused on the role of the community pharmacist, the resources in place with regard to current services, the administrative complexities of community pharmacy practice and the expansion of the scope of practice of pharmacists and community pharmacies.
The Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of Pharmacy in Ireland has added a further structure and guidance towards reforming and expanding the role of pharmacists and community pharmacy.
The Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, concluded between the State and the IPU will provide a further structured basis for progressing shared ambitions. This will be supported by a €25 million new investment in Community Pharmacy this year and €50 million in 2026, as well as ensuring the overall investment in community pharmacy is directed towards modernisation and new service opportunities.