More than half of pharmacies are less optimistic about their business prospects than they were three months ago.
That's according to the Irish Pharmacy Union, who say just under half believe that the overall environment for their business is getting worse.
There has been a sharp increase in the number of pharmacies expecting to suffer a fall in sales over the next three months.
The Union has urged the Government to deal with state-influenced costs, such as rates and energy charges, saying many pharmacies are drawing closer to closure this month.