Pharmacists want authority to substitute medicines without new prescriptions

Pharmacists can already swap between a brand-name medicine and a generic version, but it is being argued that their skill set should be more effectively used in also substituting for new medication if needed.

Medicine shortages are now a year-round issue, pharmacists warned as they called to be allowed to substitute medications for patients without a new prescription each time.

This crisis and limits on contraception access were highlighted by the Irish Pharmacy Union at the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday.