Do I need an appointment for a pharmacy Common Conditions consultation?

No. At Laois Pharmacy in Portlaoise it is a walk-in service with a private consultation room. The consultation fee is €35 and takes around 10 minutes.

What conditions can Irish pharmacists treat without a GP?

Uncomplicated UTIs (women 16–64), conjunctivitis, impetigo, cold sores, shingles, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), oral thrush and vaginal thrush — assessed in a private consultation, with treatment supplied where appropriate.

Can a Pharmacist Prescribe Antibiotics in Ireland? Yes — Here’s How It Works

Yes — for certain common conditions, pharmacists in Ireland can now assess you and supply prescription treatment, including antibiotics where appropriate, without a GP visit. It’s one of the biggest changes to Irish healthcare in years, and it means that for a defined list of everyday conditions you can simply walk into Laois Pharmacy in Portlaoise instead of waiting days for an appointment.

What changed?

Under Ireland’s expanded pharmacist prescribing rules, specially trained pharmacists can consult, assess and — where clinically appropriate — supply prescription-only treatment for a set list of common conditions. It’s a walk-in service: no appointment, a private consultation room, and a €35 consultation fee for the assessment. If treatment isn’t appropriate, we’ll tell you straight and point you to your GP.

Can the pharmacy treat it? Tap your condition

These are the conditions our pharmacists can assess and treat in store.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Conjunctivitis (red, sticky eye)
Impetigo (school sores)
Cold sores
Shingles
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
Oral thrush
Vaginal thrush
Something else

Yes — walk in. Uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16–64 can be assessed and treated in our consultation room, with antibiotics supplied where appropriate. Try our 2-minute symptom checker first if you’re unsure.

Yes — walk in. We can assess conjunctivitis and supply treatment where appropriate, including antibiotic drops when they’re actually needed (many cases don’t need them — we’ll tell you honestly).

Yes — walk in. Impetigo can be assessed and treated in store — important to treat quickly as it spreads easily in schools and creches.

Yes — walk in. Cold sores can be assessed and treated; the earlier you catch an outbreak, the better treatment works.

Yes — but hurry. Shingles treatment works best within 72 hours of the rash appearing, so come in as soon as you suspect it. We also offer shingles vaccination to prevent it.

Yes — walk in. We can assess hay fever and supply prescription-strength treatment where appropriate, plus everything over the counter. See our hay fever survival guide.

Yes — walk in. Oral thrush can be assessed and treated in our consultation room.

Yes — walk in. Vaginal thrush can be assessed and treated privately in store.

For anything outside this list, a pharmacist consultation is still free and we’ll point you the right way — but prescription treatment would come from your GP. For anything severe or worrying, always see your doctor first.

What about all other antibiotics?

Outside these specific conditions, antibiotics in Ireland remain prescription-only from your doctor — and that’s a good thing. Most coughs, colds, sore throats and flu are viral, and antibiotics do nothing for viruses. When you come to us with symptoms, our pharmacists will give you an honest assessment: what will actually help, and whether you need your GP.

Worth knowing: if you’ve run out of a regular prescription medicine and can’t reach your GP, pharmacists can make an emergency supply in certain circumstances. Don’t go without your usual medicine — come and talk to us.

Think you have one of the 8 conditions?

Walk in — no appointment needed. Private consultation room, honest assessment, €35 consultation fee, treatment supplied where appropriate. Or check your symptoms first with our free online symptom checker.

WhatsApp us — 085 840 7548 Visit us in Portlaoise

Pharmacist prescribing FAQs

Can a pharmacist prescribe antibiotics in Ireland?

For specific common conditions — including uncomplicated UTIs, conjunctivitis and impetigo — trained pharmacists can assess you and supply prescription treatment, including antibiotics where clinically appropriate. For everything else, antibiotics still require your GP.

Do I need an appointment for the Common Conditions Service?

No — it’s a walk-in service at Laois Pharmacy. The consultation happens in our private room and usually takes about 10 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The consultation is €35, plus the cost of any medicine supplied. If we can’t treat you, we’ll tell you straight away and direct you to your GP.

Will I always get antibiotics for a UTI or eye infection?

No — only when they’re clinically appropriate. Many conjunctivitis cases, for example, clear without antibiotics. Our pharmacists follow strict protocols and will always give you an honest answer.

Reviewed by Deirdre O’Donovan MPSI, pharmacist (registered since 1981), Laois Pharmacy, Portlaoise, July 2026. Details of the service on our Common Conditions Service page.