how many elderly people are forced to live in poverty in order to pay for rocketing prices in medication. Seniors hit by financially crippling medicine costs can look forward to cheaper medicine under proposals put forward by consultants and backed by Health Minister Nelson Bascome. Age Concern says some pensioners are having to choose between getting medicine or paying for other necessities. Mr. Bascome said pensioners needed to get wise to cheaper alternatives to save cash. He said: "Arthur Andersen have just finished their review and we have sub committee look at pharmaceuticals. "Medicine is very expensive in Bermuda, we are looking at options to create a more equitable cost because some people could be using generic drugs but end up using the Rolls Royce drugs. "Seniors are not getting the proper directions, either from prescribing or sometimes they are so used to a name so they stick with it but they could get the same benefits from a generic drugs.'' He said pharmacists, health professionals and representatives from the insurance industry were now thrashing out proposals. He said: "If approved elderly people can look forward to better prices for medication. "Doctors will give clients the opportunity to opt for a cheaper drug.'' Age Concern chairwoman Joy Leman said: "Some people have to decide do they pay for medication or do they have their electricity turned off? "There are people out their making those horrid choices. Where things fall through the cracks is the cost of medication. "Some people are needing terribly expensive medication just to keep them alive but they don't have the coverage. "I was at the drug store the other day. I heard a gentleman who was paying $300 a month for cancer drugs. "He only had hip insurance so he wasn't covered for the medication.

"I have a friend who has been cleaning houses all her life. She only goes to the doctor when she really has to because the only insurance she has is hip.

She's on social assistance and she can't afford to go. She's very careful.

"She has asthma but she has to be very careful when she uses her pump and how she uses it, because if she uses a lot of it she has to buy a new pump.'' Age Concern's new Executive Director Claudette Fleming said: "There are certain discounts from pharmacies and insurance companies but we need to monitor what senior citizens are using. "Whether there are medications they don't need to be buying, that's very common and needs to be addressed. "People do take medicine they don't need because they have been taking it for years and they haven't checked into why they are taking it. "Pharmacists are vital for identifying people who may be abusing medication. They should be aware of what The cost of good health "Education is a key. In other cases people have beliefs about the healing powers of certain things.

"They also need to think about whether what they are taking is available in a cheaper brand, a generic brand.

Mrs. Leman said: "Carers need to make a note of when seniors take their medication and whether the various medicines are compatible.'' Shadow Health Minister Kim Young said life sustaining drugs should be free for those over 65.

And she called for free hospital coverage for seniors.

She explained: "It's my personal view that people over 65 should get free hospital coverage -- right now you have to pay 20 percent of the hospital bill.

"When you are 70 it becomes ten percent - it's graded. Ideally once you are 65 you should have no fears that should you get ill you won't be well cared for.''