Pharmacists have voted in favour of a motion calling for the phased abolition of the prescription levy

The levy has increased five-fold since it was introduced in 2010.

The Irish Pharmacy Union wants all vulnerable patients exempt from the €2.50 charge immediately and for it to be phased out over the next three years.

A survey for the IPU carried out in March shows that 28% of medical card holders have said they think twice about taking their prescription medicines because of the cost of the levy.

Meanwhile, one in seven have said they had not filled a prescription because of the charge.