Regulatory update

#MedSafetyWeek: 2 – 8 November 2026

#MedSafetyWeek will take place from 2 to 8 November 2026, bringing together medicines regulators and other organisations in more than 100 countries to promote the reporting of suspected side effects from medicines.

The 2026 theme is ‘Don’t ignore side effects. Report them’. The campaign will encourage patients and healthcare professionals to stay alert for possible side effects and to report them promptly to the HPRA by visiting hpra.ie > Report an Issue.

Ways to support the campaign include:

• Like and share HPRA social media posts during #MedSafetyWeek;
• Share campaign images and animated videos through your own channels;
• Display HPRA ready-made posters in hospitals, pharmacies or other relevant settings; and
• Share the campaign’s main messages through your website, newsletters and other communications channels.

Further information can be found at hpra.ie > News & Events > Reminder: Save the date for #MedSafetyWeek 2 – 8 November 2026 (posted 22 October 2026).

Resources for use in the pharmacy, including posters can be found at hpra.ie > Safety information > How we monitor safety > Medicines for human use > Reporting suspected side effects > #MedSafetyWeek.

 

Useful reference source

IPU Professional Academy Autumn Programme 2026 — useful resources

For each topic in the IPU Academy Autumn programme there are a range of further resources available via the IPU Professional academy LMS, for example:

• Sexually Transmitted Infections: Information on Free home STI testing can be found at sh24.ie;
• Palliative Care: Palliative Care Competence Framework, available at aiihpc.org > Our Work > Education & Practice > Competence Framework 2014;
• Asthma: FIP Chronic respiratory diseases: A handbook for Pharmacists available at ncd.fip.org > Other NCD Resources > Publications; and
• Cancer Supportive Care in Community Pharmacy: NCCP Updated National Competency Framework for Pharmacists, available at healthservice.hse.ie/staff > Information for healthcare professionals > National Cancer Control Programme > Pharmacy related documents.

 

PSI inspections

The PSI carries out a range of inspections to assess compliance with pharmacy and medicines legislation, as well as PSI guidance. These inspections include routine inspections, new pharmacy opening inspections, themed inspections and mystery shopper/specialist surveyor inspections.

A routine pharmacy inspection typically takes PSI Quality Assessors approximately two hours. These inspections are not notified to the pharmacy in advance. This ensures that pharmacies consistently comply with the legislation and maintain high standards of practice, even without prior notice. The presence of the superintendent or supervising pharmacist is not a prerequisite for the inspection, and it will proceed even if a locum or another pharmacist is on duty.

Preparing for a routine inspection:

• Continue to use the Pharmacy Assessment System (see psi.ie > Inspections > Pharmacy Assessment System). Keep the Action Plan booklet updated, approved and signed by the relevant individuals;
• Refer to the comprehensive resources on the PSI website including:

• Checklist for Routine Pharmacy Inspections (psi.ie > Inspections > Routine pharmacy inspection);
• Short Guide on What to Expect During the Inspection Process (psi.ie > Inspections);
• Overview of Inspectors Advice on Improving Compliance (psi.ie > Practice Supports

> Practice Updates and Learnings); and

• Inspection and Enforcement Policy (psi.ie > Inspections).

• Watch Inspections Video for an introduction on what happens during a PSI inspection (psi.ie > Inspections > Routine pharmacy inspection).

 

Actions following inspection:

After an inspection, the Quality Assessors will provide a detailed report of the inspection findings, highlight areas of compliance and identify any issues that need to be addressed. This report is issued to the superintendent pharmacist.