IPU Sunday 8 March 2026: This International Women’s Day (8 March), community pharmacies across Ireland are reaffirming their commitment to providing immediate, expert, and personalised healthcare for women in every community. Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals in Ireland, offering trusted advice and essential treatments that help ensure women receive the education, support, and care they need to lead healthier lives.
According to Susan O’Dwyer, the IPU’s Head of Professional Services, “Women can face challenges in accessing healthcare due to time constraints, affordability, or a lack of awareness about the services available to them. Community pharmacies help address these barriers by offering convenient healthcare services that usually do not require an appointment. From emergency and ongoing contraception services to cardiovascular risk assessment and menopause support, pharmacists provide expert guidance tailored to every stage of a woman’s life.”
Safe Pharmacy
Beyond providing essential healthcare services, community pharmacies also act as a vital support network for women facing dangerous situations, including domestic abuse. Across Ireland, more than 1,000 ‘Safe Pharmacies’ offer crucial support to women experiencing domestic abuse and/or coercive control by providing a secure and discreet place to seek help and connect with local services.
Ms O’Dwyer highlighted the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Unfortunately, violence against women and girls remains a serious issue in our society. For those experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control, accessing support services can be extremely challenging, particularly where phones and movements may be monitored. With pharmacies located in towns and communities across Ireland, they provide a discreet and accessible place for anyone seeking help. No woman should suffer in silence. Safe Pharmacies are present in communities across the country and ready to provide support when it is needed most.”
Ms O’Dwyer concluded, “Community pharmacies are at the heart of local healthcare, providing women with immediate access to expert advice, essential health services, and preventative care. This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting women’s health and encourage every woman to make her health a priority, because support, advice, and expert care are just a pharmacy visit away.”
