Community Pharmacy Agreement will put patients in Sligo at the centre of healthcare believes councillor

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Cllr Thomas Walsh has welcomed the Community Pharmacy Agreement, which he believes will support patients in Sligo and build capacity within the health service.

Published by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, following the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Irish Pharmacy Union, the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025 sets out a comprehensive pathway to modernise and expand the role of community pharmacy in Sligo, according to Cllr Walsh.

“This agreement is an important step forward in building resilience and ensuring timely access to care for patients in Sligo. Community pharmacies, trusted by many and on the frontline of our healthcare system, will now be able to expand services, play a greater role in areas like immunisation and bowel screening and will allow for the safe return and disposal of unused medication.”

New Funding: €25 million in 2025 and €50 million in 2026 will support fee adjustments, service development, and training.

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, noted “this agreement marks a new chapter for community pharmacy in Ireland and I am so pleased that we are expanding services for patients. I have set out my ambition to see the role of community pharmacists grow and expand, this agreement provides the structure and pathway for that ambition in the years ahead.”

The Community Pharmacy Agreement, 2025, supports the delivery of safe, equitable and efficient healthcare, and ensures community pharmacists are better equipped to respond to the growing needs within our health services.

The Agreement is available on the Department of Health’s website here.