HPRA Accessibility Statement

At the HPRA, we are committed to making our website accessible so that as many people as possible can use this site regardless of technology or ability. This in accordance with European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020. .

Measures to support accessibility

Some measures we have taken when building this site include: 

  • All front-end development work ensures compatibility with multiple devices and screen readers.
  • Clear and intuitive site navigation is provided, including a breadcrumb trail for improved user experience.
  • Users can navigate the website using a keyboard only, with interactive elements fully accessible via tabbing and focus states. 
  • Good colour contrast is maintained throughout the site to support users with visual impairments. 
  • HTML tags are structured to assist navigation, including <h1> for page headers, <h2> for subheadings, and <p> for paragraphs.
  • Alt text field on CMS is included in image settings to describe their content, unless the content is decorative.
  • No flashing elements have been used to avoid triggering seizures or other health concerns.
  • Peer reviews, keyboard testing, and automated audits were conducted to validate compliance with accessibility best practices.

  • Training has been provided to staff working on website content to ensure future updates maintain compliance with accessibility standards. 

Compliance status

The HPRA is partially compliant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Some content does not yet fully comply with this accessibility standard. This is outlined below. 

Non accessible content

Despite our best efforts to ensure accessibility of the HPRA website, there are some limitations in some areas of the site content

Below is a description of these known limitations however please contact our accessibility officer using our online contact form and selecting ‘Other’ > ‘General query’ from the drop-down menus if you notice an issue not listed below.

  • Some PDF documents: Some HPRA documents produced prior to 2025 do not adhere to accessibility guidelines. It will not be possible for all documents to be made accessible, due to the disproportionate cost burden. We intend to have all future documentation online fully accessible. If you require any pdf documentation provided in an alternative format, please contact our access officer using our online form and selecting ‘Other’ > ‘Accessibility query’ from the drop-down menus.
  • Safety Notices: The HPRA publishes third party notices relating to the safety and/or quality of health products. These are shared with us by external organisations and may not always be fully accessible
  • Package Leaflets: Package leaflets for human medicinal products on the HPRA website are currently published in pdf format. The marketing authorisation holder (normally, a pharmaceutical company) has an obligation to provide package leaflets in formats appropriate for the blind and partially sighted on request from patients. We can assist you in making a request to the marketing authorisation holder for a more accessible alternative;
  • All videos created from 2025 onwards will include a transcript to download.  We host our video content on Youtube and embed them into the site using iframes. Closed captions may be available through the Youtube platform. tThere are some accessibility issues with these iframes that we do not have control over on the Youtube platform.

Website settings

The browser being used will have its own accessibility options or free downloads to increase accessibility options and improve browsing experience. 

Some of the content on this site, may also require plugins to work on your browser. This and other helpful guides on how to better your online experience can be found on Better Web Browsing: Tips for Customising your Computer.

Assessment approach

Accessibility was validated through peer reviews, keyboard testing and automated audits. We benchmarked the results based on the WCAG Level AA standards. 

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of our site. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers by contacting our Access Officer by phone at 01 676 4971 or contact our access officer using our online form and selecting ‘Other’ > ‘General query’ from the drop-down menus. 

You can also send your feedback by post to: 

Access Officer, HPRA, Kevin O'Malley House, Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, Ireland, D02 XP77 

Formal complaints 

You can make a complaint about the accessibility of this website under the Disability Act 2005 (No. 14 of 2005) by emailing our accessibility officer through our contact us form selecting the ‘Other’ category and choosing ‘Accessibility query’. 
 
If you are not happy about our response to your complaint, you can contact the Ombudsman to look into your complaint:.

 

The Office of the Ombudsman
6 Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin 2,
D02 W773.

Phone: +353 1 639 5600
Email: complaints@ombudsman.ie