Pharmacists across Ireland are playing an increasingly important role in delivering accessible healthcare, with new services and responsibilities expanding the contribution they make to patients and communities.
Marking World Pharmacists Day on 25 September, the Minister for Health recognised the commitment and professionalism of pharmacists working across community and hospital settings. The Department of Health highlighted progress made over the past year under the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, with pharmacists taking on a broader range of clinical services.
With more than 1,900 community pharmacies across Ireland, pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in the country. Alongside providing medicines expertise and advice, they are increasingly delivering services that allow patients to access healthcare closer to home.
The Common Conditions Service now allows participating pharmacists to assess and manage a range of minor ailments, recommend appropriate treatments and refer patients to other healthcare professionals where necessary. More than 95% of community pharmacies are now participating in the service.
Community pharmacies are also supporting the National BowelScreen Programme, helping to raise awareness of bowel cancer screening and encourage participation. More than 1,550 pharmacies have signed up to provide this service.
Vaccination is another area where the role of pharmacists continues to expand. Pharmacists provide flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and have recently been empowered to administer pneumococcal vaccines as part of the national immunisation programme.
The Department of Health also highlighted the MediBack medicines disposal scheme, which is now available free of charge through every community pharmacy in Ireland. The service supports the safe disposal of unwanted and expired medicines while helping to reduce medicine-related harm and protect the environment.
Hospital pharmacists continue to contribute across the health service, working within multidisciplinary teams to support the safe and effective use of medicines, improve patient outcomes and contribute to care in acute and specialist settings.
These developments reflect the growing range of skills and expertise pharmacists bring to patient care, both in local communities and within hospitals.
The Minister also highlighted the appointment of Cora O’Connell as Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. The new role will provide strategic leadership for pharmacy and medicines policy across the health service.
The Department of Health said the appointment represents an important step in strengthening the role of pharmacy and supporting continued innovation in the profession. The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer will work to advance pharmacy policy and support the integration of pharmacists into patient-centred healthcare.
As pharmacy services continue to develop, education and professional training will remain important for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals looking to build their knowledge and skills.
The developments highlighted for World Pharmacists Day demonstrate the diverse and increasingly clinical role of pharmacy professionals in Ireland. From medicines management and patient advice to vaccination and community healthcare services, pharmacists are contributing across a wide range of healthcare settings.
For those considering a career in pharmacy or looking to develop their skills in healthcare, professional training and further education can provide opportunities to build knowledge and progress within the sector.
