Dispensing chemists are taking industrial action on Monday against the new system for paying for medicines. They will be closed between 12 noon and 2 pm, except for emergencies, reports the NOS website.

From July 1 health insurers will only pay for the cheaper generic versions of 36 different types of medicine, which they say will cut the healthcare budget by €350m a year. But dispensing chemists organisation KNMP says the lower prices will lead to the closure of 40% of chemists within three years and the loss of 4,000 jobs.