The National Health Service prescription charge will rise by 10p to £6 on April 1.
Announcing the increase on February 17, Lord Philip Hunt (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health) said that the rise was the smallest percentage increase for over 20 years.
The cost of prescription prepayment certificates is to rise from £30.80 to £31.40 for four months and from £84.60 to £86.20 for 12 months.
The same increases have also been announced by the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
After the announcement, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Secretary and Registrar (Miss Ann Lewis) called for a review of the prescription charge system because it contradicted the Government's policy of equal access to all for health care services.
"There is a sector within society for which a £6 prescription charge is simply not manageable within their weekly budget."
She said that some patients asked pharmacists which medicines they could forego when they were prescribed multiple medication.
"Some people will be deterred from visiting their family doctor because they know they will not be able to afford the treatment," she added.