Pharmacy Questions Answered
Straight answers to the questions we hear most at the counter, plus free checkers and plain English guides. Written by your local Portlaoise pharmacy team.
💶 Paying for medicines
What does a medical card cover at the pharmacy?The €1.50 charge, the €15 family cap, and what’s not covered. What-will-I-pay checkerRead the guide →The Drug Payment Scheme explainedNo household pays more than €80/month — no means test. Savings calculatorRead the guide →Is the morning after pill free in Ireland?Free for ages 17–35 and medical card holders. Timing and how it works. Eligibility checkerRead the guide →Is HRT free in Ireland?What the scheme covers and the 3 steps to get it. 3-step guideRead the guide →
🩺 What the pharmacy can treat
Can a pharmacist prescribe antibiotics?Yes — for 8 walk-in conditions including UTIs and conjunctivitis. Condition pickerRead the guide →Do I need a prescription for that?Viagra, codeine, inhalers, weight-loss injections and more. Instant lookupRead the guide →Our walk-in Common Conditions ServiceAssessed and treated in our private consultation room, €35. 2-minute symptom checkerRead the guide →
💊 Using medicines safely
Can you take paracetamol and ibuprofen together?Yes for most adults — the exact safe way, plus the child rules. Adult/child guideRead the guide →Can you drink alcohol on antibiotics?Honest answer: depends entirely on which antibiotic. Antibiotic lookupRead the guide →With food or without? And missed dosesWhy timing matters and the missed-dose rule. Timing lookupRead the guide →
🍂 Seasonal health
Back to school health checklistThe 8 things every family press should hold by September. Tick-off checklistRead the guide →Flu vaccine: who gets it free?Ages 60+, children 2–17, pregnancy, long-term conditions. Eligibility checkerRead the guide →Cold vs flu vs CovidHow to tell them apart — and the red flags. Symptom checkerRead the guide →Which cough medicine actually works?Dry vs chesty vs tickly — match the remedy to the cough. Cough pickerRead the guide →Hay fever survival guideWhat works, in what order, for Irish pollen season. Pharmacist guideRead the guide →
⚖️ Weight management
The weight-loss pill: what it means for IrelandOrforglipron (Foundayo) is here in the US — when will the tablet reach Ireland? Trials + timelineRead the guide →Retatrutide: the ‘triple G’ explainedUp to 25% weight loss in trials. What it is and when Ireland might see it. Trials + timelineRead the guide →Ozempic vs Wegovy vs MounjaroSame molecule? Different doses? Full comparison with Irish prices. Comparison tableRead the guide →Keeping the weight off afterwardsWhat the maintainers do differently. 6-habit checklistRead the guide →Our Weight Management ServiceSame-day dispensing from stock, monthly support. Free BMI eligibility calculatorRead the guide →
Can’t find your question?
Can’t find your question?
Our pharmacists are always happy to help. No appointment needed.