Guidelines on the Sale or Supply of Non-Prescription Medicinal Products from a Retail Pharmacy Business

These guidelines set out the requirements for effective patient consultations to ensure the safe and appropriate supply of non-prescription medicines from a retail pharmacy in all circumstances. This includes sale or supply to an individual who attends the pharmacy in person, as well as at a distance through online purchases from a pharmacy website, which is registered with the PSI and is on the approved Internet Supply List .

Non-prescription medicinal products include medicines that have been categorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) as pharmacy-only medicines (which can only be sold from a pharmacy), and general sale medicines (which can be sold from non-pharmacy premises).

All medicines supplied from a pharmacy, i.e. pharmacy only and general sale medicines, must be supplied by or under the personal supervision of a pharmacist. The supervision of a pharmacist is necessary to ensure the correct medicine is selected, and appropriate advice and support is provided to the patient or their representative. It also ensures that the medicine is being used to treat the correct condition and does not mask or delay the diagnosis of a more serious condition which may require immediate referral to a doctor or other healthcare professional. This provides timely access to healthcare for patients and reduces the burden on other healthcare services.

Discussions with patients will often provide opportunities for health promotion or interventions and is a key opportunity for the pharmacist or trained staff member to assist and empower the patient to care for their own health.