Strong support for expanded pharmacy role in Irish healthcare — new survey
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has welcomed new research released this week, confirming overwhelming public support for expanding pharmacy services, but has also warned that the profession cannot deliver without action to address a 17-year State fee freeze and severe resourcing challenges.
The Pharmacy Index 2025 by IPSOS B&A, based on a survey of over 2,000 members of the public, shows that Irish people not only trust pharmacists, but also want them to play a greater role in healthcare delivery. However, despite rising expectations, community pharmacies are still operating under outdated funding models that threaten the sustainability of services.
Key findings
- Over half, 51%, of the adult population visited a pharmacy in the past week.
- 97% trust the advice they receive from pharmacists.
- 95% are happy with the quality of professional service they receive.
- 94% support pharmacy prescribing; 92% would avail of health screening in pharmacies; and 95% want pharmacies to support medicine adherence.
- 77% of people say GP appointment wait times are increasing, highlighting the urgency of enabling other parts of the health system to step up to build capacity.
Speaking at the National Pharmacy Conference recently, IPU President Tom Murray said: “These survey results reaffirm that patients want more care through their local pharmacy. Pharmacists are ready and government policy is now moving in the right direction. Our vision is to expand pharmacy care in a way that strengthens the whole health system. We want to deliver more, and we want to deliver it now, with the right support structures in place.”
“Initiatives like pharmacy prescribing and support for common conditions services can be truly transformational, and to succeed, they must be built on a solid and sustainable foundation that is adequately resourced.”
Mr Murray warned that to realise the full potential of pharmacies and pharmacy services there needs to be a meaningful commitment to addressing the underfunding of pharmacies.
“A key enabler is the State funding model for pharmacy, which has not changed in 17 years, despite rising demand, expanded responsibilities, and increasing operational costs. At a time when inflation has significantly increased the cost of delivering healthcare, pharmacies are being asked to do more, deliver a quality service, and shoulder greater responsibility, while effectively being paid less, due to the regressive nature of our fee structure.
“A properly resourced pharmacy network can reduce pressure elsewhere, improve outcomes, and deliver better value for the health service. But right now, too many pharmacies face unsustainable conditions with one-in-10 pharmacies operating at a loss, and nearly a third are on the brink. Some have already been forced to reduce hours or scale back services, directly impacting patient access and continuity of care.
“Modernising the funding framework is a strategic investment in the future of primary care,” Mr Murray added. “With the right foundation, pharmacies can do even more for patients, for communities, and for the health system as a whole.”
In conclusion he said: “the IPU welcomes the commitment of the new Minister for Health and ongoing engagement with the profession. Now, we seek clarity and a firm timeline for delivering the two essential enablers of expanded pharmacy care: Fair and sustainable funding, and the rollout of new services.”
