IPU, Tuesday 9 June 2026: Almost all community pharmacies (94%) have experienced rising operational costs over the past year, while patient demand and prescription volumes have continued to grow, according to the latest Pharmacy Pulse report published by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) in partnership with Fitzgerald Power.
The report highlights the growing pressure facing pharmacies across Ireland. Pharmacy owners identified their main business concerns as wider economic uncertainty (26%), the level of State fees (20%) and business costs (18%) as the main challenges impacting the sector. Rising wages, energy bills, IT infrastructure, and insurance costs were identified as among the most significant cost increases over the past 12 months.
Community pharmacies are playing an increasingly important role in delivering frontline healthcare services, with a programme of pharmacy prescribing for common conditions rolled-out earlier this year. In this context the value of medicine sales has increased by 3.9% year-on-year to March 2026, while the value of prescription medicines rose by 9.5%. The figures reflect growing patient demand and increased reliance on local pharmacies for care and support.
This increased demand is also being felt at the community pharmacy level. Some 43% of pharmacies reported higher footfall over the past 12 months, while 38% said employment levels had increased during the same period.
Commenting on the findings, Pierce Healy Chair of the IPU’s Pharmacy Contractors Committee (PCC) said:
“Community pharmacies are continuing to manage growing patient demand for healthcare services while facing significant increases in the cost of running their businesses. Pharmacists are increasingly utilising their expertise in medicines and medicine management to support patients and deliver better health outcomes.
“Pharmacies are a cornerstone of primary care in communities across Ireland. However, continued increases in operating costs and sustained pressure on margins present significant challenges for the long-term sustainability of the sector. It is essential that pharmacies receive the support they need to continue providing accessible, high-quality care to patients in every community. This is particularly important as the Community Pharmacy Agreement places greater emphasis on delivering additional services, which requires more staff and leads to higher staffing costs that must be adequately funded.
Commenting, Noel Winters, Corporate Finance Partner at Fitzgerald Power, said, “Community pharmacies are operating in an increasingly complex environment, balancing rising operating costs, workforce challenges and growing patient demand, while continuing to play a vital role within Ireland’s healthcare system.
Through our work with pharmacy owners across Ireland, we understand the importance of having access to timely, relevant market intelligence to support decision-making. Pharmacy Pulse has been developed to provide pharmacy owners with practical insights into the key trends shaping the sector, from business performance and cost pressures to mergers and acquisitions activity.
We are delighted to partner with the Irish Pharmacy Union on this initiative. By combining the IPU’s deep understanding of the sector with Fitzgerald Power’s financial and commercial expertise, we hope Pharmacy Pulse will become a valuable resource for pharmacy owners and managers across Ireland.”
The findings of this report highlight the importance of ensuring continued investment in the sector and recognising the increasing costs facing pharmacies as they respond to growing patient demand. Supporting pharmacies to remain sustainable will be essential to maintaining accessible, high-quality care for patients in every community.
The next edition of Pharmacy Pulse will be published in Q3 2026 and will continue to track key trends in pharmacy performance, sector sentiment, cost pressures, and market activity.
ENDS
