What McCartan's Pharmacy does

McCartan's Pharmacy is a wholly Irish, family-owned community pharmacy group founded in 2000 by Brian McCartan, operating 20 retail branches across North, South, and West Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Cork. The group serves general community patients through prescription dispensing (NHS/HSE, medical card, Drugs Payment Scheme), over-the-counter retail, and a growing suite of pharmacist-led clinical services. These clinical services include Common Conditions Consultation (pharmacist prescribing for eight common conditions at a €35 fee), seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, preventative vaccines (Shingrix, Pneumovax), emergency hormonal contraception, erectile dysfunction treatments, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The group also supplies pharmacy services to residential care and nursing homes.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market centred on physical retail, supplemented by online appointment booking, a Refill Assistant-powered online prescription refill system, and iOS/Android mobile applications provided by ProductWorld. Revenue is generated through transaction-fee-based prescription dispensing, OTC product sales, unit-priced consultation fees, and private service charges; many services are free or subsidized for eligible patients under HSE schemes (vaccinations, Free Contraception Scheme, medical card). Marketing relies on community presence and organic social (Facebook, Instagram) rather than paid acquisition.

The group has grown via a combination of organic branch openings (Bayside 2001, Portmarnock 2004, Balbriggan 2006, Northside 2015, Millers Glen 2022, Kilcarbery) and targeted acquisitions of established community pharmacies that retain distinct heritage trade names in some locations (Donnelly's Pharmacy, McMeel's Pharmacy, Farmers Pharmacy, Turner's Cross). The company has received multiple Irish Pharmacy Awards shortlistings and wins, and operates under Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland regulation. Headcount is not disclosed.

Name

McCartan's Pharmacy

Legal name

McCartan's Pharmacy

Website

https://mccartans.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Pharmacy Services

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (456110)

SIC

Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail & Community Pharmacies (Chain/Independent) (HLAFALAA)

Keywords

• Community pharmacy services
• Prescription dispensing
• Pharmacy vaccinations
• Health screening services
• Over-the-counter medicines

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Prescription Dispensing: Core pharmacy dispensing revenue from prescription medications. Services include NHS/HSE prescription filling, medical card dispensing, and Drugs Payment Scheme processing.
2. Over-the-Counter Products: Revenue from OTC medicines, skincare products, vitamins, fragrances, cosmetics, and baby care products sold directly to consumers.
3. Consultation Fees: €35 consultation fee for Common Conditions Service. Some prescribed medications may be covered under medical card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
4. Vaccination Services: Seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, many provided free of charge under HSE eligibility criteria. Preventative vaccines like Shingrix available as private services with charges.
5. Private Pharmacy Services: Private services including Shingrix shingles vaccine, erectile dysfunction treatments (Viagra Connect, Cialis), and emergency hormonal contraception for non-eligible patients.
6. Health Screening Services: Blood pressure monitoring services, including 24-hour ambulatory monitoring, provided as professional services.
7. Photo Services: Professional photo services including passport photos, driving license photos, and Garda ID photos.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

McCartan's Pharmacy operates a network of 20 community retail pharmacy branches across Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Cork, providing NHS/HSE prescription dispensing, OTC medicines, pharmacist consultations for eight common conditions, vaccinations (flu, COVID-19, Shingrix, Pneumovax), emergency hormonal contraception, erectile dysfunction treatments, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and ancillary retail services such as passport photos. The company supports its physical network with an online prescription refill portal and branded iOS/Android mobile applications.

Product overview

McCartan's Pharmacy operates as a network of 19-20 community pharmacies across Dublin, Kildare, and Meath, offering a comprehensive range of healthcare services including clinical consultations, vaccinations, and medication management. The pharmacy provides in-store services such as Emergency Hormonal Contraception, Erectile Dysfunction treatments (Viagra Connect and Cialis), Seasonal Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations, Common Conditions Consultation, 24HR Blood Pressure Monitoring, and Preventative Vaccinations (Shingrix, Pneumovax). Digital services include an online Prescription Refill system powered by Refill Assistant and mobile apps for iOS and Android provided by ProductWorld. Additional retail offerings include photo services, blood pressure checks, and weight management support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Common Conditions Consultation Pharmacist-led assessment and prescribing service for eight common conditions: allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cold sores, impetigo, shingles, oral thrush, vulvovaginal thrush, and uncomplicated UTIs. Available without a GP visit at €35 per consultation.
• Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) Emergency hormonal contraception (morning-after pill) provided without prescription to women aged 17-35 ordinarily resident in Ireland free under the HSE Free Contraception Scheme, free for medical card holders, and available for purchase for those not meeting criteria.
• Erectile Dysfunction Medication Over-the-counter ED treatments including Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg) and Cialis for Men (tadalafil 10mg), supplied after a brief private pharmacist consultation without requiring a GP visit.
• Seasonal Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations Annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines administered at branches and through school programmes. Free for HSE-eligible groups including older adults, pregnant women, healthcare workers, carers, adults with chronic conditions, and household contacts; private flu vaccination available for others.
• Preventative Vaccinations Year-round private vaccines including Shingrix (two-dose shingles vaccine) and Pneumovax PPV23 (pneumococcal vaccine), administered by trained pharmacist vaccinators in private consultation areas.
• 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring using a portable device worn for 24 hours to detect patterns such as white coat hypertension, with comprehensive reports provided to GPs.
• Prescription Refill Service Online prescription refill ordering system powered by Refill Assistant, allowing existing patients to request prescription refills digitally through the McCartan's website.
• Photo Services Professional photo services including passport photos (standard and online), driving license photos, PSV license photos, taxi license photos, and Garda ID photos.
• Blood Pressure Check Quick, non-invasive blood pressure measurement procedure using an inflatable cuff to measure systolic and diastolic pressure.
• Prescription Dispensing Core pharmacy dispensing of HSE/NHS prescriptions, medical card prescriptions, and Drugs Payment Scheme prescriptions for community patients and residential care facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pharmacists can prescribe medication on the spot for eight common conditions without requiring a GP visit
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Refill AssistantcoreTechnology or IntegrationRefill Assistant provides and manages a software platform (Pharmacy Portal) for McCartan's Pharmacy, enabling processing of prescription and dispensing information and delivery of professional services to patients. They also provide the web-based Prescription Order Form embedded in the pharmacy's website.
• ProductWorldcoreTechnology or IntegrationProductWorld provides and manages the McCartan's Pharmacy branded iOS and Android Mobile Apps for prescription management and pharmacy services. Apps are available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
• Health Service Executive (HSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSE provides eligibility criteria and funding for free vaccination programmes (flu and COVID-19), free contraception scheme, and other health initiatives that McCartan's Pharmacy participates in as a registered provider.
• Pharmaceutical Society of IrelandcoreOthersRegulatory body overseeing pharmacy practice in Ireland. McCartan's pharmacists are registered with the PSI and operate under PSI regulations.
• Local GP PracticesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcCartan's Pharmacy works with local GP practices for prescription management, referrals for common conditions, and sharing of health monitoring data (e.g., 24-hour blood pressure monitoring reports sent to GPs).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Allcare Pharmacy: Irish-owned cooperative pharmacy group with community-focused retail branches across Ireland offering dispensing, vaccinations, and pharmacist consultation services — directly comparable as a competing independent Irish pharmacy network.
• Hickey's Pharmacy: Family-owned Irish pharmacy chain with multiple branches offering prescription dispensing, pharmacist consultations, and health services — closely comparable in scale and family-ownership structure.
• Meaghers Pharmacy Group: Irish family-owned pharmacy group operating multiple community branches in the Greater Dublin area, offering dispensing, vaccinations, and skincare services — directly comparable as a Dublin-focused family pharmacy chain.
• Sam McCauley Chemists: Long-established Irish pharmacy chain with branches across the country offering dispensing, health screening, and beauty services — comparable as a multi-branch community pharmacy operator in Ireland.
• TotalHealth Pharmacy: Irish independent pharmacy network/group supporting community pharmacies with shared branding, dispensing, and health services — directly comparable as an alternative multi-branch community pharmacy model.
• Cara Pharmacy: Independent Irish pharmacy group with multiple community branches offering dispensing, pharmacist consultations, and health screenings — comparable as a multi-branch independent community pharmacy peer.
• Haven Pharmacy: Irish community pharmacy group/network with branches across Ireland offering dispensing and pharmacist-led services — comparable as a competing independent Irish pharmacy network with similar scale.

Broad incumbents

• Boots Ireland: Major national pharmacy chain in Ireland (part of Walgreens Boots Alliance) offering dispensing, vaccinations, and broad retail health/beauty assortment — comparable as a scaled multi-branch pharmacy operator, but with broader retail scope.
• LloydsPharmacy Ireland: International pharmacy chain with an Irish community pharmacy presence offering dispensing and clinical services — comparable as a chain pharmacy competitor, though the Irish estate has been consolidated in recent years.
• Tesco Ireland Pharmacy: Supermarket-embedded pharmacy service within Tesco Ireland stores offering dispensing and basic health services — comparable as a retail-channel pharmacy competitor with significant footfall advantage in overlapping catchments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/McCartansPharmacy
• Instagraminstagram.com/mccartanspharmacyirl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about McCartan's Pharmacy