The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill T.D. has published the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, following the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU). This landmark agreement supports the delivery of safe, equitable, and efficient healthcare, and ensures that community pharmacists are better equipped to contribute to national health priorities through structured engagement, sustainable funding, and integrated service delivery. The agreement is supported by a €75 million new investment across 2025 and 2026.
Speaking on the publication this month, the Minister for Health said, “Community pharmacies are at the heart of our healthcare system, they are among the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals. This agreement recognises their vital role and sets out a meaningful pathway to expand services, improve access, and modernise how care is delivered.”
Welcoming its publication IPU President Tom Murray said, “This agreement marks a major step forward for community pharmacy and the patients we serve. It brings long overdue investment, recognises the vital expertise of pharmacists, and opens the way for new and expanded services in every community in the country.”
“By strengthening the role of pharmacies, it makes healthcare more accessible and ensures patients get the care they need quickly and conveniently.”
“Pharmacists are medicine experts. This Agreement puts that knowledge to work for patients making it easier to access more of the services they need, when they need them, in the convenience of their community pharmacy. This will make everyday healthcare easier and free up capacity in the wider health service,” continued Mr Murray.
Key features of the Agreement include:
• Expanded Services:
Community pharmacies will play a greater role in contraception, immunisation, bowel screening, and the safe return and disposal of unused medicines.
• Digital Integration: Pharmacies will actively support national eHealth reforms, including the National e-Prescription Service and National Electronic Health Record.
• New Funding: ¤25 million in 2025 and ¤50 million in 2026 will support fee adjustments, service development, and training.
• Strategic Collaboration: A new collaborative framework will be established to support the shaping and implementation of community pharmacy services.
The Agreement also introduces new fees and allowances for participating pharmacies, supports the training and development of pharmacy teams, and a programme of work aimed at reducing administrative burdens on community pharmacies.
“This is the first increase in pharmacy fees in a generation, and it is much needed. It recognises
the vital role pharmacies play and helps keep services sustainable.
“The agreement will also support the digital transformation of our health service by integrating community pharmacy into national digital health systems and streamlining work processes.
“We welcome the commitments to reduce unnecessary red tape and to invest in the digitalisation of health services. These measures will allow our highly trained pharmacists to spend more time delivering direct patient care.”
Concluding, Mr Murray paid tribute to the pharmacists of Ireland, saying, “Pharmacists have been saying for many years that we are ready, willing, and waiting to do more for patients. I commend the profession for its ambition and commitment to patient care.”
“This agreement delivers real benefits for patients, provides meaningful support for pharmacies, and strengthens Ireland’s health service. Now it is essential that every element of this deal is implemented without delay, and we look forward to continuing our ongoing engagement with the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure this happens.”
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