🫀 Mandatory Cardiac First Response (CFR) Training for Pharmacists — What You Need to Know

spelicnicolette
Nov 1
2 min read

Pharmacists play a vital role in community healthcare — not only in dispensing medicines, but also in responding effectively during medical emergencies. Under Irish law, every pharmacist who wishes to supply or administer certain emergency medicines or vaccines must maintain current CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) certification.

This requirement is set out in S.I. No. 449 of 2015 — the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.

⚖️The Legal Requirement: S.I. No. 449 of 2015

As per Section S.I. 449/2015, CPR training is mandatory for all pharmacists wishing to supply and administer certain medicines to adults and children in emergency situations, as well as for those administering specific vaccines.

This regulation amended the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) framework, empowering pharmacists to supply and administer:

Adrenaline (epinephrine) for anaphylaxis
Naloxone for opioid overdose
Glyceryl trinitrate spray for angina
Emergency hormonal contraception
Vaccines such as influenza, shingles, and pneumococcal

However, these authorisations are conditional — pharmacists must have completed and maintained up-to-date CPR training from an approved provider.

You can read the full statutory instrument here: S.I. No. 449 of 2015 (Irish Statute Book)

🩺 What the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) States

According to the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP):

“As per Section S.I. 449 of 2015, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training is mandatory for all pharmacists wishing to supply and administer certain medicines to both adults and children in an emergency situation, as well as specific vaccines.”

The IIOP outlines the approved CPR courses recognised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) as meeting this legal requirement:

Cardiac First Response – Community Level (PHECC-accredited)
Heartsaver® CPR AED (AHA-accredited)

Both courses must be delivered by recognised training providers and renewed every two years to remain valid.

🧠 Why This Matters for Pharmacies

Legal compliance — Pharmacies offering vaccination or emergency medicine services must ensure all pharmacists are certified in CPR.
Patient safety — Quick, confident response to cardiac arrest or collapse can double a person’s chance of survival.
Professional reputation — Maintaining compliance demonstrates your commitment to patient care and regulatory standards.
Audit readiness — Up-to-date certification is often required for PSI inspections, audits, and continued registration.

🏥 SkillWise CFR Training for Pharmacists & Pharmacy Teams

At SkillWise, we provide PHECC-certified Cardiac First Response (Community & AED) training that fully meets the requirements of S.I. No. 449 of 2015 and IIOP guidance.

Our course includes:

CPR for adults, children, and infants
Safe use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
Management of choking
Responding to collapse and sudden cardiac arrest
Choking, Stroke, Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest

Certification:

✅ Valid for 2 years

✅ recognised by PHECC

Delivery: On-site at your pharmacy or local SkillWise venue

Extras: Access to the SkillWise AED Finder App — allowing your pharmacy to register its AED and promote community safety

⚡ AED Registration and Pharmacy Readiness

Pharmacies are encouraged to ensure their AEDs are:

Registered and publicly accessible
Checked and maintained regularly
Visible to staff and customers

Through the SkillWise AED Finder App, pharmacies can easily register AEDs and help build Ireland’s lifesaving network of accessible defibrillators.