Some patients are telling the Maori Pharmacists Association they're likely to stop asking for heart and blood drugs when the price of a prescription goes up from $3 to $5.
The association says it appreciates that the health sector needs a cash boost, but it isn't fair that the fee applies to everyone - rich and poor.
A clinical pharmacist Leanne Tekaru says the cost increase will affect people especially those on the poverty line.
She says people have told her they'll probably leave their prescriptions for high blood pressure and cholesterol - conditions that are not obvious to others.
Ms Tekaru says cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality among Maori.
She says it worries her that some people won't be able to afford medicines.
