The latest edition of Pharmacy Pulse provides a snapshot of the key trends shaping Ireland’s community pharmacy sector, combining market data, business sentiment and sector analysis to help pharmacy owners stay informed and plan for what comes next.
Produced by Fitzgerald Power in partnership with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), Pharmacy Pulse is our quarterly look at the commercial and operational environment for community pharmacies across Ireland.
Summary Q2 2026:
Electronic Record Keeping
New legislation has provided for electronic record keeping for community pharmacies. The changes allow prescriptions transmitted electronically and a range of pharmacy records to be stored digitally, this should ultimately lead to a reduction in administrative burden, improved workflow efficiency and is fully aligned to the wider digitalisation of healthcare services in Ireland.
Pharmacist-Led Contraception Service
The Government published the Health (Provision of Contraception Prescribing Service in Retail Pharmacy Businesses) Bill 2026 in June. The legislation will allow pharmacists to provide repeat prescriptions for certain contraceptive medicines directly to eligible patients, improving access to women’s healthcare while further expanding the clinical role of community pharmacists within primary care.
EU E-Commerce Import Charges
From 1st July 2026, the European Union will introduce a new €3 customs charge on low-value imports from outside the EU. The reform aims to address concerns around unfair competition from international e-commerce platforms by removing favourable customs treatment for low-value goods. The change could benefit community pharmacies and other Irish retailers by narrowing the price gap between products sourced from overseas and those sold through local businesses.
Inflation and Cost of Living
Cost-of-living pressures remained a key issue for Irish households during Q2 2026. Consumer prices were 3.4% higher in June 2026 than a year earlier, with housing, electricity, gas, and other utility costs among the largest contributors to inflation. Rising living expenses continued to impact household disposable income and consumer spending, creating a challenging environment for both consumers and businesses.
US Trade Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
Global economic uncertainty remained elevated during Q2 2026 as businesses and policymakers continued to assess the impact of tariff-related trade tensions and geopolitical instability. With Ireland’s economy heavily dependent on international trade and foreign direct investment, concerns persisted regarding the potential impact on exports, business investment and economic growth.
