Expert Taskforce and Prescription Extension – Information for Pharmacists

Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland

An Expert Taskforce has examined the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland and has published two reports. The first interim report was published in November 2023 and recommended that pharmacists be enabled to extend and dispense certain prescriptions from six months up to a maximum of 12 months where appropriate. The second and final report was published in August 2024.  It recommends that pharmacists should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions. The Expert Taskforce has recommended an initial list of eight conditions which can be extended over time as the service evolves. The Taskforce has also recommended the development, over the coming years, of more widespread models of pharmacist prescribing across the health service.  You will find information for pharmacists and pharmacy teams about the recommendations of the taskforce and their implementation below.

We have also created a number of FAQs to help answer questions you may have about what this means for you and your practice. 

About the Expert Taskforce 

The Expert Taskforce to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland was established in July 2023 by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD. The Taskforce was asked to consider how pharmacists can expand upon their present scope of practice for the benefit of patients, the public and the wider health system. 

The work of the Expert Taskforce was divided into two phases: 

Phase 1: Empowering pharmacists to extend prescriptions. 

Phase 2: Empowering pharmacists to prescribe within their scope of practice. 

Prescription Extension 

The first recommendation of the Expert Taskforce was accepted by the Minister for Health in November 2023. Legislative changes required to give effect to this recommendation were introduced on 1 March 2024 and enable: 

• Prescribers to issue prescriptions with a legal validity of up to 12 months if they deem it clinically appropriate. This change takes effect from 1 March 2024. 
• Pharmacists to extend and dispense certain prescriptions from six months up to a maximum of 12 months where appropriate. This change is effective from 1 September as it only applies to prescriptions written on or after 1 March 2024.  

Further information about the Expert Taskforce, along with the interim report containing details about the first recommendation, is available on the Department of Health website. 

Amendments have been made to the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 73/2024 - Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2024 (irishstatutebook.ie) and the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 74/2024 - Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (irishstatutebook.ie) 

How is the PSI supporting pharmacists with the implementation of this legislative change? 

The PSI supported Expert Taskforce through its work. The PSI Registrar & Chief Officer, Joanne Kissane, was a member of the Expert Taskforce, and the PSI is also represented on a Taskforce subgroup focused on implementation of prescription extension.

We have also engaged with several key stakeholders on the safe implementation of the first recommendation. In December 2023, we ran a workshop with pharmacists to explore the regulatory tools, supports and information, such as guidance, that may be needed to support pharmacists in their decision-making when extending prescriptions for patients. We have met with the IIOP and IPU to discuss the implementation of the recommendation, including resources to support pharmacists. 

We have developed updated guidelines to support pharmacists with the safe implementation of the first recommendation. The IIOP also have dedicated supports on their website in relation to the Expert Taskforce, including training resources to support with implementation of the recommendations.

Extending the validity of prescriptions up to 12 months 

The first recommendation from the Taskforce is to enable pharmacists to extend the validity period of certain prescriptions for up to a maximum of 12 months when, in the pharmacist’s professional opinion, based on their knowledge, skills and competence, it is safe and appropriate to do so. 

The decision to extend is subject to person-centred criteria such as the current stability of the patient’s clinical regime, continuity of care and lack of relevant change. The recommendation also enables prescribers to prescribe certain medicines for up to 12 months, where appropriate. 

What does this mean for my practice? 

Amendments have been made to the Regulation of Retail Pharmacy Businesses Regulations 2008 and the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 to allow prescriptions to be valid for up to 12 months. 

The changes mean that: 

1. From 1 March 2024, prescriptions can be dispensed for up to 12 months from the date they are written where the prescriber has indicated this on the prescription. 
2. From 1 September 2024, pharmacists can extend prescriptions written for six months for up to a further six months where, in their professional judgement, it is safe and appropriate to do so, and once defined criteria have been met. These criteria include communication with the patient or their representative, consideration of the suitability of the medication, record keeping of the decision to extend, and notification to the original prescriber. 

The PSI will be issuing updated guidance in advance of 1 September that will support pharmacists to safely incorporate this change to their practice. 

Further information is available in the updated guidance and FAQs. 

Exclusions to prescription extension 

There are situations where prescription extension for long-term medication will not be appropriate or is not allowed in legislation. Examples of these include: 

• Where the medication is a controlled drug listed in Schedule 2,3, or 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017. 
• Where the prescriber has included the instruction on the prescription: ‘Do not extend’. 
• When a pharmacist, in their professional judgement, does not consider it safe or appropriate to extend the prescription. 
• Where a patient chooses not to have their prescription extended. 

Other medicines may be excluded for operational or reimbursement reasons. Further information about excluded medicines will be provided by the HSE PCRS. 

Commons Conditions and Pharmacist Prescribing

In August 2024 the Minister for Health published the final report of the Expert Taskforce. The report recommends that pharmacists should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions. The Expert Taskforce has recommended an initial list of eight conditions which can be extended over time as the service evolves. The Taskforce has also recommended the development, over the coming years, of more widespread models of pharmacist prescribing across the health service. 

This is a significant time for pharmacy in Ireland.  As an enhanced role and scope of practice is progressed, our focus is to ensure that the necessary training, education, and regulatory supports are in place for pharmacists, to underpin continued safe and effective pharmacy services for the public.  We will continue to update pharmacists at this work progresses, via email on our website and via our social media channels. 

Further information 

The Expert Taskforce comprised of 13 experts with experience in pharmacy education and practice, healthcare policy and delivery, and other related disciplines. The Taskforce first met on 29 August 2023, publishing its final report in August 2024. You can read more about the work of the Taskforce on the Department of Health website. 

On 21 February 2024, we ran a webinar in partnership with the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP). During the webinar, PSI provided information on the expected legislative changes to facilitate the first recommendation of the Taskforce (to enable pharmacists to extend prescriptions). We also provided information on the broader work of the Expert Taskforce, with insights from the Chair of the Expert Taskforce, Pat O’Mahony, and PSI registrar Joanne Kissane. You can access a recording of the webinar on the IIOP website.