Controversial new plans could see the age for free prescriptions hiked to 66.
Current rules allow those aged over 60 to avoid English prescription charges, along with those under 16 and anyone in full time education.
But the Mirror reports that the Government is now hoping to change that in a bid to bring the eligibility in line with the age when people receive their state pension.
The age at which people can claim free prescriptions has not changed since 1974 for women, and 1995 for men.
The plans have been condemned by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, with leading pharmacists warning vulnerable people could be left without the medication they need.
PS chair in England Thorrun Govind said: "The proposal to raise the age at which people can access free prescriptions from 60 to 66 means that many more people will be affected by this tax on the sick at exactly the time at which they may be needing more medicines.
"It is unacceptable to raise the cost of prescriptions in the current economic situation when many have been disadvantaged by the pandemic."
What do you think about the proposals? Should all over 60s be able to access free prescriptions? Have your say in the comments below:
People currently have to pay £9.35 per prescription item or those who regularly need medicines can buy a prepaid certificate for £108.10 for 12 months.
Government analysis suggests the move could cost an extra £46.75 a year for the average person without regular needs for medication.
This would increase to an additional £130.90 for people who require more than 12 prescriptions per year.
Ms Covid continued: "Patients shouldn't have to make choices which involve rationing their medicines. No-one should be faced with a financial barrier to getting the medicines they need."
Her comments come as Ministers suggested the age change could bring in more than £300million extra to the NHS coffers by 2026.
Health Minister James Bethell said: “We are committed to improving patient care and supporting the NHS with the funding it needs to recover from this pandemic.
“The upper age exemption for free prescriptions used to align with the state pension age, but that link has been lost over the years.
“Prescription charges are an important source of income for the NHS, and the costs of providing free prescriptions continues to increase with our ageing population.
“I encourage anyone with views on our proposals to share them through the consultation response form, available online on gov.uk.”
