The IMO fears the prescription charge for medical card patients announced in Budget 2010 will be increased over time and will disproportionately affect the elderly, low-income groups and those suffering from chronic illnesses.

IMO GP Committee Chairman Dr Ronan Boland said: “While the size of the charge is initially modest, doctors and patients alike fear that the charge will be increased steadily over time. In addition, there will be a significant administrative cost in collecting the charge.”

He added that the positive relationship between poverty and ill-health was well documented. “Available evidence shows that those on low incomes or in poverty have relatively high mortality rates, higher levels of ill-heath and fewer resources to adopt healthier lifestyles.”

Furthermore, he said increasing the threshold for the Drugs Payment Scheme to €120 a week would discourage the use of essential medication, ultimately leading to an increase in the use of health services.

Speaking after the Budget was delivered, Health Minister Mary Harney said legislation for the charge would be taken through the Dáil early in the New Year. She added it would be operational from April 1 at 50c per item prescribed capped at €10 per family each month. This is expected to yield €15 million in 2010 and €25 million in a full year.

President of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, Liz Hoctor, said it was ironic that Ireland was introducing prescription charges when other jurisdictions were phasing them out.

“Has consideration been given to what happens when a patient is unable to pay these charges? What happens when a patient with a serious health condition refuses to pay these charges but clearly needs their medication? Will certain patients be exempt from the charges? Who is going to collect these charges and what is the cost of collecting them,” she asked.

Fine Gael health spokesperson Dr James Reilly said the Minister had persisted in punishing the poorest and sickest people for the failures of her Government. “Why else would she target medical card holders for prescription charges? Along with the increase in the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold, this is an assault on people who can ill afford it when the minor savings to be made could well be made elsewhere – notably from the HSE back room, which remains bloated,” he suggested.