HSE Common Conditions Service
Can a pharmacist treat hay fever in Ireland?
Yes — under the Common Conditions Service, an Irish pharmacist can assess and, where appropriate, prescribe treatment for hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and allergic eye symptoms (allergic conjunctivitis) from the age of 2, without you needing to see a GP. over 1,600 pharmacies across Ireland offer the service.
Can a pharmacist treat this?
A pharmacist will assess whether the Common Conditions Service is appropriate for you. The service criteria include:
- Anyone aged 2 or over
- Symptoms consistent with allergic rhinitis and/or allergic conjunctivitis
- For children under 16, a parent or legal guardian must consent
What does it cost?
A consultation fee applies to everyone using the Common Conditions Service, including medical card holders. The fee is set by each pharmacy, so it varies — ask when you call. Any medicine the pharmacist prescribes is covered by your existing entitlements in the normal way, under the GMS (medical card) or Drugs Payment Scheme.
Symptoms a pharmacist will ask about
- Sneezing, an itchy, runny or blocked nose
- Whether nasal discharge is clear and watery — thick or coloured discharge suggests infection rather than allergy
- Itchy, watery or red eyes, usually affecting both eyes
- Whether symptoms follow a season or a trigger such as pollen, dust or animals
- Whether you've ever been diagnosed with hay fever, allergic rhinitis or asthma
- Any wheezing or shortness of breath
- Any earache or facial pain
When you'll be sent to a GP instead
- Children under 2
- Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy
- Suspected sinus infection, or continuous thick or coloured discharge
- Suspected ear infection
- Persistent headache, eye pain or facial pain
- Symptoms in only one nostril
- Blurred vision
- Suspected medication-induced rhinitis
- Under-18s taking systemic steroids, medium-to-high dose inhaled steroids, or using potent topical steroids continuously
- Under-18s who have already used a steroid nasal spray continuously for 8 weeks
In some cases — symptoms not controlled, wheezing or uncontrolled asthma, recent nasal surgery or injury — a pharmacist may supply a limited initial treatment to tide you over while you arrange to see a GP.
Get urgent help now
- A swollen tongue, difficulty breathing, a tight chest, trouble swallowing or speaking, dizziness or faintness, or collapse
- Symptoms of a severe asthma attack
These are signs of a severe allergic reaction. Call 112 or 999 immediately.
Pharmacies near you, open now
Most Irish pharmacies offer the Common Conditions Service.
Phone ahead to confirm before travelling.
View the HSE pharmacy listPharmacies near you, open now
- Aileen Good Life PharmacyOpen
Unit 13, Supervalu Shopping Centre, Sundrive Rd, Kimmage, Dublin 12, D12 V320, Ireland
(01) 492 9731
- Allcare Cara PharmacyOpen
Unit 7, The Glebe, Glebe, Donegal, Ireland
(074) 972 1112
- Allcare Late Night Pharmacy DouglasOpen
Clermont, Douglas Rd, Ballinlough, Cork, T12 TV26, Ireland
(021) 429 2329
- Allcare PharmacyOpen
38 Tonlegee Rd, Donaghmede, Dublin 5, D05 K3V7, Ireland
(01) 867 8080
- Allcare PharmacyOpen
Malahide Rd, Dublin Northside, Dublin, Ireland
(01) 831 9155
- Allcare PharmacyOpen
Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin, D15 VY27, Ireland
(01) 820 0088
Looking after yourself
- Reducing contact with whatever triggers your symptoms is the foundation of treatment
- Using treatment correctly matters — ask your pharmacist to show you the right nasal spray technique
- Sticking with treatment consistently works better than using it only on bad days
- If eye symptoms haven't improved after 7–15 days, or if they are severe, see a medical practitioner