Prescription cure

I THINK people on higher incomes should contribute to the cost of their prescriptions, but if charges return they should not be based on the previous system, which could be grossly unfair (your report, 3 October).

Under the previous system, a millionaire with a mild thyroid deficiency, which is easily treated with an occasional prescription for one drug, got all his prescriptions free as that illness qualified him for exemption from charges, while a patient on a modest wage who suffered from several medical problems not on the exemption list could be forced to buy a season ticket to avoid frequent prescription charges.

I think it would be fairer and more acceptable to have fewer exemptions and have a larger number of people paying a modest charge rather than a small number paying a heavier charge. I feel that elderly people on generous pensions should not be exempt from the charges.

Many years ago there was a small charge on all prescriptions, and patients on benefits could get a receipt to present at the post office, where they would get their money back.

This system seemed to be acceptable but an incoming government cancelled it.

Hugh M Mackenzie

Bonnethill Road

Pitlochry