- New nationwide initiative aims to improve awareness and participation in Ireland’s free bowel cancer screening programme.
IPU Friday, 2 October 2026 : The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) and the HSE are encouraging people aged 57 to 71 to talk to their community pharmacy team about participating in Ireland’s BowelScreen service, the HSEs free national bowel screening programme.
The initiative, recently launched by the Minister for Health as part of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025, will see pharmacy teams provide information, answer questions and encourage eligible people to complete their free home test kit.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said the initiative is particularly aimed at people aged 51 to 71 years to encourage them to talk to their pharmacy team about BowelScreen. Participating pharmacy teams across the country will attach a promotional sticker to prescription bags for people in the eligible age group. Each sticker has a freephone number and a QR code so people can check that they are registered for BowelScreen or register themselves and request their free home test kit.
Many people plan to complete their BowelScreen test but set it aside, forget about it or are unsure how it works. Community pharmacy teams can provide clear information, answer questions, and give people confidence to take part.
The test is completed at home and can detect bowel cancer earlier when treatment is often more effective. If you receive an invitation, our message is simple: do not put it off.
BowelScreen is free for approximately 850,000 people aged 57 to 71 across Ireland. It aims to detect bowel cancer and can identify polyps that may be removed before becoming cancerous. Every year, approximately 3,000 people have polyps removed following screening, helping to prevent potential future cancers.
Pharmacy teams participating in the initiative have completed dedicated training developed jointly by the HSE and the IPU. This will enable them to explain how BowelScreen works and direct eligible patients to further information and support.
Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in Ireland. This initiative means people can ask questions and access trusted information about BowelScreen in a familiar setting through their local pharmacy team.
Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common invasive cancer in women in Ireland, with approximately 2,800 people diagnosed each year.
People aged 57 to 71 are encouraged to talk to their pharmacy teams about BowelScreen, check whether their details are on the programme register or request a free home screening kit through the BowelScreen website or by contacting the programme directly.
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