CCPC launches study into retail pharmacy market

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has launched a market study into the retail pharmacy sector in Ireland. 

The retail pharmacy market is a large and significant market, with over two million consumers visiting pharmacies on a weekly basis. Retail pharmacies (also known as community pharmacies) provide essential medicines and services to consumers across the country. The CCPC has identified areas of the retail market that merit closer examination based on consumer complaints, preliminary research and market developments.  

The market study will focus on how the market is working for consumers and will examine the consumer experience when purchasing products and services from retail pharmacies. It will also assess how retail pharmacies compete to win consumers. 

The study will focus on the supply of prescription and over-the-counter products to end consumers. It may also consider the services pharmacies provide such as consultations and vaccinations, depending on the information received.  

When assessing the retail pharmacy market, the CCPC will seek to understand areas such as: 

• Price transparency and consumer switching 
• Regulatory frameworks
• Competition and market developments 

The study will examine the retail pharmacy market and make recommendations about ways to improve competition and consumer outcomes. 

As part of the market study, the CCPC is inviting stakeholders to share their views and experiences of the market. 

Geoffrey Gray, Commission Member said: 

“Retail pharmacies play an important role in supplying consumers with essential medicines and services, so it’s vital that the market is working and delivering for consumers. 

“That’s why we want to hear from consumers, pharmacy owners, pharmacists, public bodies, regulators, representative groups and others with views and experiences of this market.” 

The CCPC has published a Statement of Scope which outlines how the CCPC intends to conduct the market study and its areas of focus. The Statement of Scope also lists questions for stakeholders, and the CCPC is inviting stakeholders to send their responses to the CCPC by 9 July 2026.  

Responses can be sent to ccpcmarketstudy@ccpc.ie.

More information can be found in the CCPC’s Statement of Scope.