Labour Party blasts new rules for medication

The Labour Party is warning that rules being introduced by the Minister for Health to eliminate invalid claims for medication could put thousands of patients at risk.

Michael Martin has told pharmacists that from April 1, they will not be reimbursed for invalid claims for medication.

The measure is set to save €2 million for the taxpayer.

However, Labour's spokesperson for Health Liz McManus says that a patient's livelihood is more important than money.

She says that elderly people may apply for medication in chemists with a prescription but they will be unable to get their required medicine because of the new rule.

Liz Allen says the minister's cost cutting exercise will eliminate flexibility in the system for people in such situations.