Irish medicine rules put every product into one of three boxes: general sale (anyone can buy it), pharmacy-only (a pharmacist has to be involved in the sale), and prescription-only (you need a script from a doctor, or, for some conditions now, a pharmacist assessment). Knowing which box a medicine sits in saves you a wasted trip, so here’s the practical guide, plus a lookup tool for the products people ask about most.
Do I need a prescription for…?
Pick the medicine you’re wondering about.
The three categories, in plain English
- General sale: paracetamol in small packs, plasters, vitamins, available in any shop.
- Pharmacy-only: sold only in pharmacies, sometimes only after a word with the pharmacist, codeine products, the morning after pill, Viagra Connect, larger packs of painkillers.
- Prescription-only: antibiotics (mostly), blood pressure and cholesterol medicines, inhalers, strong painkillers, GLP-1 injections, prescribed by your GP, dispensed by us.
Not sure what you need?
Send us a message describing what you’re looking for, our pharmacists will tell you whether it needs a prescription, whether we can supply it in store, and what it costs.
Prescription rules FAQs
Can I get antibiotics without a prescription in Ireland?
Only through a pharmacist consultation for specific common conditions such as uncomplicated UTIs, conjunctivitis and impetigo. All other antibiotics need a GP prescription.
Why does the pharmacist have to ask questions about codeine painkillers?
It’s a legal requirement, codeine products are for short-term use only when standard painkillers haven’t worked, and the pharmacist must check they’re suitable for you.
What if I run out of my regular medicine and can’t reach my GP?
Ask us about an emergency supply, in certain circumstances pharmacists can dispense a regular medicine to keep you going until you can see your doctor.
Can Laois Pharmacy fill any Irish prescription?
Yes. Bring in your paper prescription or ask your GP to send it to us by Healthmail. You can WhatsApp a photo to 085 840 7548 so we can check stock, but we need the original or a Healthmail copy to dispense it.
Reviewed by Deirdre O’Donovan MPSI, pharmacist (registered since 1981), Laois Pharmacy, Portlaoise, July 2026.
