Pharmacists could be charging patients €20 to dispense medication in blister packs from January, a charge previously covered by the State.

The eight common conditions on the initial list include oral thrush, cold sores and UTIs.

The survey, carried out by Azure Pharmaceuticals, reveals 98 per cent of pharmacists dispense unlicensed drugs every day.

Pharmacists will be able to extend prescriptions to 12 months from March 1st next year