Prescription charges remain at 50c

WARNINGS of a €50 annual medical card fee and an increase in prescription charges for medical card holders failed to materialise, but the charges for getting medication will remain.

Health Minister James Reilly said he regretted that, because of the current financial climate, he was not be in a position to remove the 50c prescription charges — one of his goals on entering office.

He had previously voiced concerns that the charge might result in people not taking their medication, particularly those on long-term medication