Madam, - Dr Loic De Chassey (Letters, July 31st) challenges an article in The Irish Times Healthplus supplement (March 11th) highlighting the high cost of prescribed drugs in Ireland. Dr De Chassey refers to the cost of a specific heart drug, Coversyl. He states: "In fact Coversyl in Ireland is free for patients over 65 years of age and GMS card holders." I have been prescribed Coversyl (5mg) by my cardiologist and have been taking it for 18 months along with another heart medication Emcor (5mg), as well as a "cholesterol zapper" and a blood thinner. Currently I avail of the Drug Payment Scheme where I pay a maximum of €90 per month.
Since I am 66 years old, after reading Dr De Chassey's letter I immediately rang my chemist and inquired why I was still being charged for my monthly Coversyl. He denied that Coversyl was "free" to people over 65 years of age and further informed me that the only time it would be free, along with all my other prescribed drugs, was when I reached the age of 70 years and received my GMS card. - Yours, etc,
EDWARD D RAFFERTY, Castlebridge, Co Wexford.