Letter: Best medicine

In times of financial constraints and the spending review due on 20 October, when welfare benefits are being targeted and many are living in trepidation of the future, it was heartening to hear Scotland's health secretary Nicola Sturgeon reiterate the SNP manifesto commitment to abolish prescription charges (your report, 16 October).

This announcement recognises that no-one should be put in the position of having to make choices of which medication one can afford or live without. Incidentally, and contrary to common belief, those on benefits are not presently exempt from paying prescription charges and for that matter neither are those suffering from chronic heart disease.

Catriona C Clark

Hawthorn Drive

Banknock, Falkirk