20% Tax Relief Introduced for Pharmacist Consultations

Dublin: From tomorrow, people in Ireland will be able to claim 20% tax relief on certain healthcare services provided by pharmacists, expanding the range of medical expenses eligible for relief.

Previously, tax relief applied mainly to GP consultations and prescribed medications. Under the change, consultations with pharmacists and medicines prescribed through the Common Conditions Service will also qualify.

The service, introduced in January, allows pharmacists to advise, treat and prescribe medication for eight common conditions, including allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, uncomplicated urinary tract infections and vulvovaginal thrush. The initiative aims to reduce pressure on GP services by allowing pharmacists to treat minor illnesses.

More than 94% of community pharmacies have signed up to provide the service. Simon Harris said the measure will ensure patients receive the same tax relief when visiting a pharmacist as they do when consulting a GP, while helping free up GP and hospital appointments for more complex cases.

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