Pharmacists: Rise in prescription fees could increase healthcare costs

The Irish Pharmacy Union has reacted angrily to the announcement to treble the cost of prescription fees for patients and also to cut the professional fees to community pharmacists in the Budget.

The IPU said that the decision to treble the Prescription Levy for medicines from 50c to €1.50 in Budget 2013 could result in patients being hospitalised due to not getting the treatment that they need.