Prescription fee hits sick and poor

THE Government’s proposal to introduce a per item charge for prescriptions of medical card-holders is a measure which will hit the sickest and poorest in society.

It is difficult to understand why the Government would target this group while continuing to proclaim it will protect the most vulnerable during its current cost-cutting exercise.

Health Minister Mary Harney has argued that the measure is necessary to raise revenue for the exchequer and to address the issue of over-prescribing of medication.