LAST week, I watched a programme about people with terminal illnesses who have defied death and extended considerably the period they were initially given to live following diagnosis.

Sue, from Swindon, was featured in this programme. She has a particularly severe case of Crohn's disease that causes excruciating pain.

There was some progress in her condition when a new drug was administered which alleviated her suffering and caused a degree of healing to occur.

But the local health authority withdrew this drug as it was 'too expensive', costing £7,200 per annum. This situation is indefensible in a society which supposedly benefits from living in the world's fourth most prosperous economy.

We are prepared to watch fat cats receive huge salaries and bonuses for achieving very little, or even failing. We allow people who assist in kicking a bag of wind between two sticks to be paid up to 150 times the average annual wage.

It seems to me that we must ask ourselves serious questions about our society and its priorities.

ROD LAWFORD

Sarsen Close, Okus