Prescription levy to hit the homeless

HOMELESS people, nursing home residents and terminally ill patients will all be subject to the Government prescription levy which will apply from tomorrow.

Medical card holders from tomorrow will be charged 50 cent per item on their prescription including drugs, medicine or medical appliances. The maximum amount chargeable to a person or their family altogether will be €10 a month under the new rules.

Pharmacies were told in recent days to apply the extra charge on medications across a range of patients, the Irish Examiner has learned.