An initiative to address the problem of raids on pharmacies has been launched by the Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.
Two pharmacies are the target of raiders every week; with around 1,600 shops in Ireland the rate is too high according to pharmacists.
A nine-page survey or assessment of shops has been drafted and it is hoped this will increase security and reduce robberies.
Frustration with sentencing for those convicted of robbing pharmacies has also been expressed.
The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, Ronan Quirke, has called for severe action against such thieves.
Launching the initiative, Commissioner Conroy appealed to pharmacists to review and assess their security in an effort to cut down on attacks.
