What Your Pharmacist Can Treat Without a GP Visit
The HSE Common Conditions Service lets pharmacists assess and treat a range of everyday complaints, free of charge, with no appointment and no referral. Here is how it works.
What the service covers
Community pharmacists in Ireland can now assess and, where appropriate, treat a growing list of common conditions. These are the everyday complaints that used to mean a GP appointment but often do not need one.
- Shingles
- Infective conjunctivitis (eye infection)
- Impetigo
- Oral thrush
- Cold sores
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Uncomplicated UTI in women
- Vaginal thrush
How a consultation works
You come in and ask, no appointment needed. The pharmacist takes you into a private consultation room, asks a few questions about your symptoms and history, and assesses whether it is something we can treat. If it is, we supply the right treatment and clear advice on the spot.
People often wait days for a GP slot for something we can help with in a few minutes in a private room. If it turns out to be something we cannot treat, we will always point you to the right care. You lose nothing by asking.
What it costs
The consultation is free. Where a prescription-only medicine is supplied under the scheme, normal prescription charges may apply depending on your entitlements, and we will always tell you before anything is dispensed.
When we send you elsewhere
Part of a pharmacist's job is knowing the limits of what we can safely treat. If your symptoms point to something that needs a GP, out-of-hours service or hospital, we will tell you plainly and help you get to the right place quickly.
This article is general information from our pharmacy team, not a substitute for individual medical advice. A prescription is required for any prescription-only medicine, and your GP or prescriber decides what is right for you. If you are worried, please talk to us or your GP.
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Our pharmacists at Abberley Court, Tallaght, open until 9pm Monday to Friday. This article is general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
