How do I find a participating pharmacy?

Use the HSE participating-pharmacy finder and contact the pharmacy to confirm its current arrangements.

Do I need an appointment?

The HSE says some participating pharmacies accept walk-ins and others use appointments. Check with the pharmacy before travelling.

How much does the service cost?

The HSE says the pharmacist charges for the service and tells you the cost before the consultation. Medicine costs and scheme coverage can vary.

Common Conditions Service Ireland

What the official service covers

The HSE currently lists these conditions for assessment under the Common Conditions Service. Eligibility rules vary by condition, age and other factors, so the list alone does not confirm that the service is suitable for an individual.

Condition	Everyday name
Allergic rhinitis	Hay fever / nasal allergies
Herpes labialis	Cold sores
Conjunctivitis	Eye infection / "pink eye"
Impetigo	Bacterial skin infection (common in children)
Oral candidiasis	Oral thrush
Herpes zoster	Shingles
Vulvovaginal candidiasis	Vaginal thrush
Uncomplicated UTI / cystitis	Bladder infection — see the full UTI guide

Check the current HSE service page. The pharmacist applies the official protocol and decides whether the service can be used.

How it works in practice

Find a participating pharmacy. Use the HSE finder, then check whether that pharmacy uses walk-ins or appointments.
The pharmacist assesses you in a private consultation area — questions about your symptoms, history, and any other medicines you take.
They decide what's appropriate. That might be self-care advice, an over-the-counter medicine, or a prescription-only medicine supplied through the service's protocol.
Safety-netting. If it's outside the scheme, not improving, or shows warning signs, the pharmacist refers you to a GP or, where needed, urgent care. The pharmacist is the gatekeeper, not a rubber stamp.

What it costs

The HSE says the pharmacist will charge you for the Common Conditions Service and should tell you the cost before the consultation. You pay that service charge even if you have a medical card. Medicine costs can still vary depending on the treatment and your eligibility under other schemes, so ask the pharmacy what the full cost will be before you proceed. For how the medical card, GP visit card, prescription charges and the Drug Payment Scheme work across healthcare generally, see the cost of seeing a doctor guide.

Eligibility and clinical decisions

Do not use this page to self-assess eligibility or choose treatment. The pharmacist checks the protocol, your circumstances and whether another healthcare route is needed. For urgent or emergency symptoms, use the HSE's current urgent and emergency care guidance.

What to ask at the counter

Ask whether the pharmacy currently offers the service, whether you need an appointment, what the consultation costs, whether medicine is separate and what happens if the protocol directs you to another service.

Finding a participating pharmacy

Use the HSE participating-pharmacy finder. Contact the pharmacy before travelling because appointment and availability arrangements can change.

Sources

Primary references: the HSE Common Conditions Service page, its participating-pharmacy finder, and the HSE's published clinical protocols. Recheck them because service rules can change.

Common Conditions Service: check the HSE pharmacy route