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Government levy causing medical card-holders to postpone buying meds


SOME medical card-holders are postponing purchasing prescription medication because they can’t afford the Government levy, a Shannon-based pharmacist has claimed.

Feidhlim Hillery said people on very low incomes and welfare payments are being forced to choose between obtaining all their prescription medicine and paying for food and utility bills.
Welcoming the abolition of the prescription levy later this year, Mr Hillery said the decision would be in the best interests of Clare medical card-holders who are struggling to pay bills.
Former Health Minister, Mary Harney, introduced the prescription charge last year where medical card-holders have to pay 50cent per prescription item up to a maximum of €10 a month. The only exceptions are those with long-term illnesses who need daily medication.
Mr Hillery pointed out that it is very dangerous for patients to postpone the purchase of some of their prescription medication.
“The reason patients are put on medication is to treat a problem and if they can’t afford the prescription charge, they may end up in hospital. This prescription charge caused financial difficulties for people and I welcome its removal.
“You have to ask the question is it worth putting people’s health at risk to save money or would it be better to save money elsewhere.
“I would hope that this change would be implemented as quickly as possible to allay financial worries for people who can get back to normal,” he said.
He said pharmacists had also noted that private patients are not getting as much medication as before because of the recession and noted the price of a lot of medication in Ireland had been reduced in recent times.

 

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