Patients will soon be able to get additional medicines from their pharmacist without a prescription, under plans drawn up by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB).

According to Pat O'Mahony, Chief Executive of the the IMB, they have identified around 20 medicines which could safely be taken off 'prescription only' status and which pharmacists will be allowed to dispense to patients without a prescription.

Mr O'Mahony told the Irish Pharmacy Union's Annual Conference that the IMB was in advanced preparations on this matter in relation to 12 medicines and had identified in total 20 medicines which could potentially be included in this move over the next year.

IPU President Kathy Maher welcomed the move and stressed that pharmacists have for some time been arguing that too many medicines are prescription only and that pharmacists should be empowered to have greater discretion in deciding whether to dispense medicines to patients.

"This is key to improving public access to medicines in a safe environment. The news is very welcome and we will engage with the IMB as a matter of urgency to ensure that this progresses as quickly as possible," she added.