Pharmacists have called for a phased abolition of prescription charges.
The Irish Pharmacy Union says the levy has increased five-fold since it was introduced in June 2010 at 50 cent an item.
The union says its research shows that one in four people are not taking medicines prescribed to them because the €2.50 charge is acting as a barrier.
IPU President Daragh Connolly said there could be great savings to the healthcare system if the charge was abolished, as taking medicines would keep people out of hospitals.
