The cost of going to the doctor could come down after moves by the Competition Authority to reform general practitioner services.
It recommends ways of increasing the supply of GPs here and has secured permission for them to advertise their services.
The Competition Authority says the cost of visiting a GP has risen rapidly in recent years, and people are delaying visits to the doctor as a result.
It has looked at the number of GPs here and found it is relatively low compared to most other European countries.
The Authority found that the training process for GPs can result in students having to repeat training they have already completed and has recommended that this be changed to allow new doctors come on stream more quickly.
It also found that restrictions on advertising by GPs were unnecessary and discouraged price competition.
As a result of its findings the Medical Council has removed restrictions on advertising in its latest professional conduct and ethics guide for medical professionals.
