The Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 is part of a wider strategy to strengthen the role of community pharmacy within the health system. It aims to expand pharmacists’ contributions to patient care, while ensuring that funding, services, and operational processes are sustainable, efficient, and future-focused.

The Agreement is available at ipu.ie, and the IPU strongly urges members to take the time to fully read through this important document.

Do you want to be part of shaping pharmacy into the future? IPU elections will take place over the coming weeks and we strongly urge all members to consider using your voice in your Union and help us to shape pharmacy policy into the future. The Agreement is organised around four key themes:

1. Fees: Building a stable and predictable funding model;
2. Services: Expanding the range of care provided by pharmacies;
3. Administration: Reducing complexity and streamlining processes; and
4. eHealth: Driving digital integration and innovation.

These core themes are supported by two cross-cutting elements:

1. Whole-system integration: Embedding community pharmacy into wider healthcare design and delivery; and
2. Ongoing engagement: Ensuring continuous collaboration between all parties to guide implementation and future development.

Together, these measures represent a coordinated plan for reform, designed to support pharmacies in delivering high-quality, accessible care while building a stronger, more connected health system for the future.  

1. Whole-system integration

Maximising the role of community pharmacy in a modern health system requires more than recognition of its value, it depends on structured participation in the design, delivery, and governance of services. This approach is intended to ensure that pharmacists’ expertise is fully incorporated into improving medicines use, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.

Key commitments

Under this Agreement, the following commitments have been made:

• Integration of community pharmacy into the design, delivery, and evaluation of national healthcare services;
• Appointment of a Chief Pharmaceutical Officer (CPO) to provide strategic leadership for the pharmacy sector;
• Quarterly meetings between the HSE and IPU to maintain structured consultation and engagement; and
• A strong focus on pharmacy IT integration, digital health enablement, and secure data sharing.

 

What this means for pharmacy

These commitments establish a framework for closer alignment between community pharmacy and national healthcare planning:

• The CPO role will serve as a single point of leadership for pharmacy within the health system;
• Regular quarterly meetings will provide a formal mechanism for consultation and feedback on service design and delivery; and
• The focus on IT integration and secure data sharing is intended to ensure that pharmacy systems can connect with wider digital health infrastructure, supporting the safe and efficient exchange of information.

This approach sets out the structures needed for community pharmacy to be fully integrated into future healthcare strategies and programmes.

2. Fees, allowances, and development funds

The Agreement introduces an uplift in funding for pharmacies to provide a more sustainable model for core services, while also supporting the rollout of new initiatives, training, and digital infrastructure.

Dispensing fees — effective 1 September 2025

Backdated to 1 September 2025, standard dispensing fees will increase as follows:

• Standard dispensing fees:
  • First 1,667 items per month — €5.60 per item;
  • Next 833 items per month — €4.50 per item; and
  • Remaining items — €4.10 per item.

• HRT Arrangement:
  • Increased to €5.60 per item dispensed (and remains outside the tiered fee structure).

 

Other key allowances

• eHealth Integration Allowance:
  • A one-off grant of €1,825 per contractor to assist with system upgrades and digital readiness; and
  • Payable once contractors sign a Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 Notice of Participation form.
• Emergency Medicine Administration Preparedness Allowance:
  • €525 annually to support preparedness for emergency medicine administration; and
  • Starting January 2026.

New service fees

To support the delivery of new and expanded services, the following fees will apply:

• Free Contraception Scheme:
  • €37.50 per eligible prescription continuation; and
  • Commencing in 2026.

 

• PPV23 Vaccination:
  • Single vaccine: €28.50;
  • Combined with flu vaccine: €42.75; and
  • Commencing Q4 2025

 

• BowelScreen:
  • €500 annual allowance per participating pharmacy;
  • Plus €5 for each patient registered; and
  • Commencing in 2026.

 

• Common Conditions Service (CCS):
  • Establishment allowance: €2,000 for contractors who sign up to participate;
  • Annual evaluation allowance: €1,667 for pharmacies selected to submit data for the evaluation of the CCS; and
  • Commencing Q4 2025/Q1 2026.

 

Training and Development

• The annual HSE Pharmacy Training Grant will increase to €3,060 per pharmacy from 1 January 2026, with a total sector budget of €5.8 million; and
• Under this, the following can be claimed for:
  • The costs of approved training courses;
  • The time costs required to provide study leave for pharmacists to undertake required training i.e. a contribution towards pharmacist locum costs; and
  • The cost of mandatory reference texts (either physical copies or a Medicines Complete subscription).

 

What this means for pharmacy

From September 2025, pharmacies will operate under an updated funding model with higher dispensing fees and structured service allowances.

These measures will provide a clearer and more consistent approach to funding, covering core services, participation in new national health programmes, training, and digital transformation.

Specific allowances have been established to support both current service delivery and future expansion as outlined in the Agreement.

 

3. Service expansion and access

This Agreement outlines the expansion of services provided by community pharmacies, building on their position as accessible points of care within local communities. The measures are designed to increase access to healthcare, support public health initiatives, and ensure patients can receive timely care in a convenient setting.

Wider public health role

Community pharmacies will have an expanded role in supporting public health campaigns, including initiatives such as Safe Pharmacy, which provides a trusted point of support for individuals experiencing domestic abuse. By leveraging their accessibility and position within communities, pharmacies will be able to raise awareness, promote wellbeing, and improve access to essential health services.

 

Expanded clinical services

The Agreement sets out a broader range of clinical services that pharmacies will provide, allowing patients to access care directly in a pharmacy setting:

• Screening services:
  • Expanded participation in national programmes such as BowelScreen, supporting earlier detection and intervention.
• Sexual health services:
  • Contraception prescription continuation under the Free Contraception Scheme; and
  • Referral pathways for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and management.
• Immunisation services:
  • Enabling and funding pharmacists to administer pneumococcal (PPV23) vaccines; and
  • Exploration of additional vaccinations and the involvement of community pharmacy in the schools immunisation programme.
• Management of Common Conditions:
  • Support for the treatment of conditions such as allergic rhinitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and shingles, as part of the Common Conditions Service framework.

These developments will broaden the scope of pharmacy services and increase access to care in the community.

 

Addressing medicine shortages

The Agreement introduces a proactive framework to help reduce the impact of medicine shortages. This includes:

• Improved visibility of reimbursement support available for EMPs where applicable; and
• Exploration of the appropriateness of therapeutic substitution by pharmacists in the context of medicine shortages.

Medicines optimisation — phased dispensing

There will be a change around the current arrangements for claiming for phased dispensing:

• Phased dispensing claiming will be limited to a defined set of medications which are high-risk or have the potential for misuse;
• The current approval process for phased dispensing will be removed;
• The funds released by restricting phased dispensing will be reinvested to support and fund broader pharmacy service delivery; and
• If any further savings in phased dispensing fees are realised, they will be reinvested in pharmacy.

Medicines optimisation — other measures

The Agreement includes measures to improve the safe and effective use of medicines, focusing on:

• Enhanced management of high-risk medicines such as Clozapine, to reduce the risk of adverse events and support patient safety;
• Phased dispensing, providing certain medicines in smaller, controlled quantities where clinically appropriate; and
• Safe return and disposal of unused medicines, reducing waste, preventing misuse, and supporting environmental sustainability.

What this means for pharmacy

Pharmacies will be enabled to deliver a wider range of services, including public health campaigns, screening, sexual health, immunisation, and management of common conditions:

• New frameworks will be in place to address medicine shortages and support safe and efficient medicine use; and
• These measures will expand pharmacy’s role in healthcare delivery, aligning with national health priorities and improving access to services within local communities.

4. Administrative burden and reform

Reducing administrative workload is a key priority of this Agreement. These reforms aim to streamline processes, reduce duplication, and make compliance with regulatory requirements simpler and more efficient, allowing pharmacy teams to dedicate more time to patient care and service delivery.

Streamlined HSE Community Drug Scheme Processes

The Agreement introduces a series of measures to simplify and modernise the administration of HSE Community Drug Schemes, including:

• Integration of the Secure Scheme Checker into pharmacy systems to enable the checking of patient eligibility and product approvals within the PMR; and
• Centralisation of Discretionary Hardship Arrangement applications and payments, creating a single, consistent process for approvals and payments rather than managing these at local health office level.

These changes are designed to reduce manual tasks, ensure greater consistency, and support a smoother claims process for pharmacies.

 

Paperless Prescription Management

From January 2026, pharmacies will transition to a fully paperless prescription process through Healthmail:

• Prescriptions will be managed and stored digitally, eliminating the requirement to print and file paper copies of Healthmail prescriptions;
• This transition will improve workflow efficiency, enhance data security, and reduce material and storage costs; and
• The change aligns with the wider digital transformation of the health service and supports the eventual move to a fully electronic prescribing environment (National e-Prescription Service — NePS).

Item-level rejection

A transition from prescription-level rejection to item-level rejection would reduce unnecessary rejections and allow for better tracking of them. The transition would involve updates to PCRS systems, so the current target is for implementation in Q3 2026.

 

Regulatory reforms

The Agreement also includes updates to regulatory frameworks to modernise key processes while maintaining high standards of safety and compliance.

Pharmacy System Certification

• A new certification framework will be introduced for any pharmacy systems that connect to HSE electronic health records and prescription systems;
• Certification will set clear national standards for functionality, security, and interoperability; and
• This will ensure that pharmacy systems are secure, reliable, and capable of integrating with national health infrastructure.

Controlled Drug (CD) Handling

• Electronic controlled drug registers will be explored to replace paper-based record keeping, simplifying the recording and reporting of CD activity; and
• The update will reduce administrative burden while maintaining strict compliance with safety and legal requirements.

 

What this means for pharmacy

These reforms will change how pharmacies manage administrative and regulatory tasks by introducing simpler, faster, and more consistent processes:

• The Secure Scheme Checker will streamline eligibility checks, reducing claim errors and administrative workload;
• The shift to paperless prescription management will improve workflow efficiency and align pharmacy processes with broader digital health strategies;
• Certified pharmacy systems will ensure technical readiness for digital integration with national health services; and
• Updated controlled drug handling processes will replace manual systems with secure digital solutions.

Collectively, these changes are intended to create greater operational efficiency, supporting pharmacies in the delivery of patient care and participation in new services under the Agreement.

5. Digitalisation and ICT

This section of the Agreement sets out how the HSE and community pharmacy will work together to develop and integrate into Ireland’s evolving digital health ecosystem. The objective is to ensure pharmacies can contribute effectively to national healthcare priorities, while maintaining high standards of care and data quality at the community level.

Through these initiatives, pharmacies will become fully integrated with national digital health systems, supporting safer, more connected, and efficient healthcare.

 

National e-Prescription Service (NePS)

Commencing Q4 2027, the HSE will implement the National e-Prescription Service (NePS), a secure and standards-based central system for the transmission, storage, and retrieval of electronic prescriptions and dispensations:

• NePS will replace paper-based prescription processes, improving accuracy and streamlining workflows; and
• Pharmacies will gain real-time access to prescription information, supporting safe and efficient service delivery.

National Medicinal Product Catalogue (NMPC)

The NMPC will provide a single, standardised national repository of identifiers and information for medicines and prescribed medical devices:

• Supports integrated medicines management, ensuring information is accurate and consistent across healthcare settings;
• The IPU will integrate the NMPC into the IPU Product File to maintain continuity for pharmacies during transition; and
• The HSE will provide communications, training, and conformance testing to ensure PMR systems align with NMPC standards.

 

Individual Health Identifier (IHI) and PPSN capture

The IHI will enable pharmacies to uniquely identify patients, reducing duplication and improving data accuracy:

• The PCRS will provide monthly data updates to support integration;
• System updates will allow for automatic retrieval, storage, and use of IHIs within PMR systems; and
• PPSN capture will be integrated to support rapid and accurate patient creation on pharmacy systems.

This infrastructure will improve patient safety, streamline administration, and provide a foundation for future digital services.

National Shared Care Record (NSCR)

The NSCR will act as a read-only summary patient record, containing essential health information, such as current medications:

• It will serve as a subset of the full Electronic Health Record (EHR), bringing together data from multiple sources;
• Pharmacy data will be included in future phases of implementation; and
• The HSE will work with the IPU and pharmacy system vendors to ensure seamless integration through necessary system updates.

This will improve the coordination of care between healthcare professionals.

 

HSE Health App

The HSE Health App allows patients to access parts of their own health record:

• The HSE will provide resources to support pharmacies in assisting patients with using the app effectively.
• This will increase patient engagement and transparency in healthcare.

National Electronic Health Record (EHR)

The EHR will provide a comprehensive view of a patient’s health information, including both hospital and community-based care:

• Certain parts of the record will be available to patients via the HSE Health App;
• The HSE will ensure that the EHR and NSCR are aligned, avoiding duplication and conflicting requirements for pharmacies; and
• Pharmacy system vendors and the IPU will be engaged to support smooth integration and implementation.

 

National Immunisation Information System (NIIS)

The NIIS, built on the existing COVAX platform, will record all vaccines administered under HSE national immunisation programmes. Programmes will be added in phases, beginning with Primary Childhood Immunisations and the Schools Immunisation Programme. To support pharmacy participation:

• The PharmaVax platform will be enhanced;
• A joint feedback and escalation process will be established with the IPU; and
• Timelines will be set for resolving system-level issues.

These measures will enable a reliable and efficient process for recording and tracking vaccinations.

Vendor engagement

Early and structured engagement with pharmacy system vendors will be prioritised to support the delivery of these digital initiatives.

• Vendors will be included early in project planning.
• Development timelines will be coordinated to avoid delays.
• Project roadmaps will provide visibility of milestones, start dates, and system expectations.

 

What this means for pharmacy

Community pharmacies will be integrated into Ireland’s digital health ecosystem, enabling more efficient, connected, and data-driven services:

• Paper-based processes will be replaced with digital systems, reducing duplication and manual work;
• Access to shared health records will support safer, more informed care;
• Pharmacy systems will align with national digital health standards, ensuring compatibility and reliability; and
• Immunisation data and prescription records will be managed securely and accurately, supporting patient safety and service delivery.

These developments will provide the technical foundation for expanded pharmacy services and streamlined operations as part of the wider healthcare system.

6. Ongoing Engagement

The successful implementation of this Agreement depends on sustained collaboration between all parties. This section outlines the structures that will support ongoing dialogue, review, and continuous improvement as the healthcare system evolves.

 

Strategic collaboration group

A new strategic collaboration group will be established to bring together the HSE, Department of Health, and IPU on a regular basis. The group will:

• Provide a formal forum for consultation and joint planning, ensuring decisions are informed by operational experience from pharmacies;
• Monitor implementation, track progress, and identify challenges early;
• Develop practical solutions to improve service delivery and address issues as they arise; and
• Maintain clear communication and shared accountability among all stakeholders.

Structured fee reviews

To ensure funding arrangements remain current and reflective of pharmacy’s role in healthcare, scheduled reviews of fees will take place in:

• June 2026; and
• June 2029.

These reviews will provide a structured process to:

• Assess funding levels and service delivery costs;
• Evaluate changes in demand and operational requirements; and
• Make evidence-based adjustments to maintain a fair and sustainable funding model.

 

What this means for pharmacy

The establishment of these engagement mechanisms will provide a clear framework for ongoing collaboration and review:

• Pharmacies will have a formal channel for raising issues and contributing to policy and service planning;
• Funding and operational models will be regularly assessed and updated to reflect changes in service demand and healthcare priorities; and
• Issues can be addressed proactively rather than through reactive negotiations.

These measures aim to maintain alignment between all parties and support the continuous development of community pharmacy services within the wider healthcare system.

  Read the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 at ipu.ie.