HSE encouraging people aged 57-71 to speak to their pharmacy about BowelScreen
The Irish Pharmacy Union, alongside the HSE, is encouraging those aged 57-71 to speak with their community pharmacy team about BowelScreen, the free bowel screening programme.
Training and education have been provided to pharmacy teams on BowelScreen, as part of the Community Pharmacy Agreement. Over 1,500 pharmacies across the country have taken part in the uptake of BowelScreen.
The goal of BowelScreen is to reduce deaths from bowel cancer by helping prevent the disease and finding it early, thus making it easier to treat.
The National Cancer Registry Ireland Annual Statistical Report 2026 shows that bowel cancer incidence and mortality have declined in both men and women from 1994 to 2023. The Government say that this is consistent with the impact of BowelScreen, as well as earlier diagnosis and the removal of pre-cancerous changes.
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “This initiative, agreed under the Community Pharmacy Agreement, marks an important step in increasing participation in BowelScreen and improving cancer prevention and early detection outcomes.
“Community pharmacists and their teams are among the most accessible and trusted healthcare professionals in our communities, and they have a vital role to play in raising awareness of the screening programme and encouraging eligible people to take part. By bringing information and support into pharmacies in villages, towns and cities across Ireland, we are making it easier for people to engage with BowelScreen and take positive steps for their health.”
Hilary Coffee Farrell, HSE BowelScreen Programme Manager, said: “We are delighted to announce the implementation of this phase of the Community Pharmacy Agreement 2025. We know that pharmacies are trusted community hubs, providing accessible health information, advice and support. Starting in October, our new stickers on prescription bags will give people an easy way to get information about BowelScreen, as well as being a conversation starter with their pharmacy team. If you’re aged 57–71 and have been invited to do the test before and haven’t, please take this opportunity to talk to your community pharmacy team and ask any questions you have.”
Susan O’Donnell, Professional Services Pharmacist, Irish Pharmacy Union added: “Your community pharmacy team is here to help. Two thirds of all adults in Ireland live within 2 kilometres of a pharmacy, so you are never too far away from the help and advice you need. We are delighted to play our part in informing people about BowelScreen and encouraging more people to take the test. Screening is a positive step you can take to look after your health, and we can make that easier by explaining how the test works and answering your questions.”