Holyrood's health committee heard last year that the IPTR system was an "inequitable process" that favours young, middle-class and articulate applicants over more suitable vulnerable people who cannot speak up for themselves.

BBC: Kalydeco tablets

MSPs heard last year that the Individual Patient Treatment Requests (IPTR) system, which patients can use to get drugs not yet approved for general use by the SMC, is an "inequitable process" that favours young, middle-class and articulate applicants over more suitable vulnerable people who cannot speak up for themselves.

BBC: Scottish 'orphan drugs' fund launched

After my over-50 piece appeared online, I got a note from one of my most thoughtful, articulate sources, Orville Pierson, a senior vice president at outplacement firm Lee, Hecht Harrison and author of Highly Effective Networking: Meet the Right People and Get a Great Job.

FORBES: Looking For Work When You're Over 50