Common Conditions Service will be available next year for a range of illnesses and consultancy fee can be charged by the pharmacy

Pharmacists will be trained for new service. Photo: Getty

Pharmacists will be trained for new service. Photo: Getty

Pharmacists are to be allowed write patient prescriptions for the first time to treat certain common health ­conditions, bypassing the need for a GP.

The Common Conditions Service, due to come in early next year, is ­included in a package of new developments for pharmacies agreed with the Department of Health which will also see around €75m more state investment into high street and community chemists.