Pharmacists and gardaí are to co-operate to protect staff and patients from criminal activity after more than 100 raids on chemists' premises last year.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the Garda today announced a 14-page guide to help pharmacists assess their security requirements.
PSI president Ronan Quirke said there had been 110 reported raids on pharmacies in 2006.
"Community pharmacies are high risk locations. The Pharmaceutical Society believes it is imperative that high levels of security are inbuilt into the environment and systems utilised in each pharmacy practice in the jurisdiction," he said.
"The society requires pharmacists to work in partnership with the gardaí and to avail of their expertise and advice."
Mr Quirke welcomed work by the Garda in conjunction with the Irish Medicines Board relating to the security of medicines in the wholesaling and manufacturing environments.
He called on the Minister for Justice, when drafting new legislation, to take account of the "special circumstances of pharmacies in the community and hospitals to ensure very severe sanctions for those convicted of attacks on pharmacies".