Expensive Prescriptions

As someone who relies on an expensive medication every day of my life, I was very unhappy to read your Dec. 29 editorial, “Drug Heist.” I am schizophrenic, but because of my newly developed medicine, I can now manage a disease that five years ago was untreatable, except with heavy sedation. This often forced people to be locked in mental institutions.

Before my medicine was discovered, I couldn’t do the things most people take for granted--maintain a meaningful relationship, hold down a job or even care for myself properly. For years I didn’t even realize how bad my situation was.

Because a pharmaceutical company researched and found a miracle, I have been able to regain my life. I now live independently, have friends and am involved in activities. It took a lot of money to discover my medicine, but I am worth it. Maybe we need to remind President Clinton and Congress that all Americans should have the same right to access medications that greatly improve their quality of life.

ANNETTE TAPPER

Van Nuys

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I am a Medicare senior and have no coverage for prescription drugs. I find when I go to a drugstore that I pay 50% to 60% more for the same drugs that people who have prescription coverage pay.

This is an unfair practice. I do not see why we cannot have a law that says prescription drugs must be sold to everyone at the lowest price a pharmacy charges to anyone. They must make a profit at that figure or they wouldn’t be selling them. If there is a volume discount it should be given to the cash customer as well. I would like to see legislation along these lines. People who don’t have prescription coverage are the ones who may have to give up food in order to buy drugs to live. The drugstores are balancing their books on the backs of the poor.

JOHN LAY

Morro Bay