A number of pharmacists are about to commence legal proceedings against the decision by the Government to reduce their fees from the beginning of next month, it has emerged.
The Government aims to save €55 million this year and €133 million in a full year by reducing their fees but the pharmacists say this will result in an average loss in income of 34 per cent.
They also say it will result in the closure of some pharmacies and the possible loss of up to 5,000 jobs.