The HPRA Drug Safety Newsletter July 2026 reported that cases of hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) have occurred in infants following inadvertent skin contact with areas where caregivers had applied topical minoxidil, see HPRA > Safety information > Safety notices.
Topical minoxidil is available in Ireland without prescription as Regaine and Minoxidil for Men and is indicated for the treatment of moderate androgenetic alopecia in adults.
The European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) conducted a routine periodic safety review of minoxidil-containing topical products. The review considered published literature and spontaneous reports describing cases of hypertrichosis in infants, which occurred following skin contact with minoxidil
application sites of patients (caregivers) using topical minoxidil. The SPCs and PILs of topical minoxidil products will be updated to include a warning that care should be taken to ensure that children do not come into contact with areas of the body where minoxidil has been applied.
Patients should be advised to avoid contact between treated areas and children.
As part of IPU member Mental Health and Wellbeing supports, the IPU offer a Member Assistance Programme (MAP). This is a free confidential counselling and information service to all members and their families provided by Vhi Corporate Solutions.
The IPU Mental Health and Wellbeing webpage also provides information on other available supports such as the Practitioner Health Matters Programme, Turn to Me, Sliver Cloud and HSE Health and Wellbeing. There are also relevant IPU Review articles and webinars. All resources are available to view at ipu.ie > Support > Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Palliative care week runs from 6 to 12 September 2026. The Palliative Meds Info service is a national service providing information for health professionals on all aspects of medicines use in palliative care. This service is based at Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services pharmacy department and responds to enquiries received by phone or email. The website has a range of frequently used Palliative Meds Info documents, including an opioid conversion chart and a searchable ‘Essential Medicines for Palliative Care in the Community’ list. Further information can be found at olh.ie/palliative-meds-info.
The PSI have updated the Safe Prescribing and Dispensing of Controlled Drugs: Medical Council and PSI Joint Guidance. This guidance is published as a joint initiative by the Medical Council of Ireland and the PSI to support both prescribers and pharmacists with the prescribing and dispensing of controlled drugs. Version 4 of this guidance is now available on the PSI website at psi.ie > Practice supports > Guidance and guidelines for pharmacists and pharmacies.
Tara Kelly MPSI, Medicines Information Pharmacist, IPU; Sinéad McCool MPSI, Professional Services/IPU Professional Academy, IPU; and Deirbhle Joyce MPSI, Professional Services Pharmacist, IPU
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