DUBLIN, Oct. 23, 2025 — Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD has endorsed the publication of new guidance designed to make the cost of medicines and pharmacy services more transparent for patients. The framework, developed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), will require pharmacies to clearly display service fees and provide detailed receipts for transactions.
Key Measures
- From 1 December 2025: Pharmacies must display the cost of all professional services on a visible notice within their premises.
- From 2026: Patients will receive itemised receipts outlining the dispensing fee (where applicable) and the cost of any additional professional services.
Minister’s Statement
Minister Carroll MacNeill described community pharmacies as “among the most trusted and accessible healthcare professionals,” adding that the new rules will “strengthen that trust even further” by giving patients visibility on what they are paying for. She linked the initiative to the Community Pharmacy Agreement, which expands the role of pharmacists in delivering frontline healthcare.
PSI’s Perspective
PSI Registrar Joanne Kissane said the regulator’s priority is ensuring safe, high-quality services. She stressed that while the PSI does not set prices, patients “have a right to transparent and accurate information” on medicines and services. Transparency, she added, is key to maintaining public confidence and enabling informed healthcare decisions.
Broader Context
The guidance forms part of Ireland’s ongoing efforts to modernise healthcare delivery and improve patient engagement. By standardising how pricing information is presented, the government aims to reduce confusion, enhance accountability, and ensure patients understand the breakdown of costs associated with their prescriptions.
Summary: From December 2025, Irish pharmacies will be required to display service fees, with itemised receipts introduced in 2026. The initiative, welcomed by Minister Carroll MacNeill and developed by the PSI, is intended to improve transparency, strengthen trust, and empower patients in managing their healthcare costs.
Minister-for-Health-Jennifer-Carroll-MacNeill-Picture-from-House-of-the-Oireachtas
Sources: Department of Health (Ireland), Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
