A DISABLED man left brain damaged after a childhood accident and later robbed for his life-saving medication has hit out at new rules forcing him to pay for prescription delivery.

Alex McLennan, who now lives in a sheltered housing complex, had previously been eligible for a free delivery service from Lloyds Pharmacy because of his long term conditions.

But he claims that the pharmacy, the second biggest in the country, has told him that he has to pay a charge from now on.

The 55-year-old suffers from brain damage, is paralysed down one side, has epilepsy and learning difficulties after falling from a chute in Lady Octavia park aged 11. 

He told the Tele that he has had his prescriptions delivered ever since he was brutally stabbed by knife-wielding attackers and his medication stolen.

Alex, who stays in Glebe Court in Kilmacolm and has mental health problems on top of his long-term injuries, said: “I don’t want to walk about with all the medication I take.

“I was stabbed and had to stay in hospital for two months when I was carrying my prescriptions home.

“I also have epilepsy and I could take a fit.

“I don’t think it is fair that I now have to pay when they deliver to other residents in Glebe Court who get their medication from Lloyds for free.

“What difference does it make if they are coming here anyway?

Alex, who says he has used Lloyds since he lived in Greenock, has asked his doctor to intervene in the prescription row.

He said: “When I was younger I needed to be looked after all the time and my older brother used to look after me when my parents worked.

“I stayed with my mum in Greenock until she died then I moved up to the sheltered housing.”

The Greenock man has a long list of medication to control his epilepsy and his mental health issues.

It was in 2004 that he was brutally attacked in Fancy Farm on his way home from the pharmacy.

He said: “I was carrying my prescriptions, I went at the same time every week. I was attacked with a knife and my medication was taken.”

Alex moved to Kilmacolm three years ago and says he has been told by Lloyds he will have to fork out £60 a year for the delivery of his prescriptions.

A Lloyds spokeswoman added: “We are looking at ways to make our home delivery service more efficient and as a result new customers are being asked to start paying for home delivery.

“We are also currently running a pilot in some areas where we are asking all customers to pay for this service. 

“The cost for a six month delivery service is £35 or £60 for 12 months.

“Patients can also collect their medicines in person from Lloyds Pharmacy where they can receive expert advice and services from their pharmacy team.

“Alternatively, they can register online to receive postal delivery free of charge."