April 19, 2013
VARESE Dear medicines: since March 1, a lifesaver has been removed from the list of prescription medicines charged to the national service. The report comes from a reader who explains: «It is better to buy medicines in Switzerland. They cost less".
That of Antonio Trovato from Varese is a real denunciation: «In January 2010 I was rushed to the Circolo hospital due to a myocardial infarction. I remained in a reserved prognosis for a long time and underwent emergency surgery: they installed stents. Operation succeeded perfectly: they saved my life. For rehabilitation I was transferred to the Cuasso al Monte hospital, so I was definitively discharged».
At that point, doctors assigned Trovato to home drug therapy. «A life-saving drug, the Eskim 1000, which until last March 1st was prescribed to me by my doctor - Trovato writes - On April 3rd, however, I discovered that from March 1st the drug was no longer prescribed by the national service: the cost was borne by the patient. Based on my therapy, I consume three boxes of this medicine a month. The cost of each box is 20 euros. The total cost is 60 euros per month.
And here is the outburst: «I am thinking of those who have to make ends meet with only the minimum pension. Elderly people who have difficulties or unemployed people who cannot afford to spend – explains Trovato – Those who live in our area can go and buy these drugs in Switzerland, they cost less there. But who lives in Sicily?».