Patients not being able to afford their medication could come at a huge cost to the country.
The University of Otago is calling for people struggling with prescription fees to join a study they hope will change the system.
President of the Royal New Zealand College of GP's Bryan Betty told Tim Dower while subsidised prescriptions are five dollars, some patients have up to six conditions.
He says that's forcing some to pick which medications they can afford, which is particularly concerning for those with diabetes or high blood pressure.
"It's an issue not only for patients and their GPs, but the health system in general."
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