One of last week's Budget measures which has caused most outcry centres around changes in schemes covering drug refunds and subsidisations.
The changes, which mean an extra £10 cost per month for people who require regular medication, was criticised by the Labour Party spokeswoman on health Ms Roisin Shortall.
"This is an attack on older people and people with chronic sicknesses and diabetes," she said.
The Asthma Society of Ireland said it meant a major cut back in entitlements for many households where there was an asthma sufferer.
"The saving to the Department of Health will be £18 million per year. That's £18 million the Minister is taking away from people with long term ailments such as asthma - in return for a long overdue streamlining of the schemes."
The society said low-income families with high medicines expenditure would now need to pay £42 per month on their first visit to a pharmacy each month.