Hundreds of thousands of women could benefit from cheaper hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as part of a scheme to cut prescription costs.
The Department of Health said that from April 1, women prescribed HRT as part of menopause treatment will be able to access a new scheme to enable access to a year’s worth of treatment for £18.70.
The department estimates that about 400,000 women will benefit from the scheme, which will allow them to have a prescription pre-payment certificate for HRT valid for 12 months.
Currently, each prescription for HRT costs £9.35, or £18.70 if a woman needs two types of hormones, and that needs to be paid once a month or every three months.
Under the plan, women can use the certificate against a list of HRT prescription items.
Patches, tablets and topical preparations can all be accessed, with no limit on how many times the pre-payment certificate can be used while valid.
Here’s everything you need to know about HRT.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HRT is a treatment used to combat the symptoms of menopause.
Menopause is caused by a dip in oestrogen levels, which leads to a thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal wall. HRT works by replacing the hormones that are at a lower level as menopause approaches.
The common symptoms of menopause are: hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive.
The symptoms usually pass after a few years, but they can be uncomfortable, especially at night.
The treatment isn’t suitable for those with a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, womb cancer or blood clots.
Why is the Government introducing cheaper HRT prescriptions?
The decision comes after the government published its women’s health strategy for England last summer.
Minister for women Maria Caulfield said: “Around three-quarters of women will experience menopause symptoms, with one-quarter experiencing severe symptoms, which can seriously impact their quality of life.
“Reducing the cost of HRT is a huge moment for improving women’s health in this country, and I am proud to be announcing this momentous step forward.
“In our women’s health strategy, we made menopause a top priority – by making HRT more accessible, we’re delivering on our commitment to women.”
It was reported last year that a shortage of HRT medication had left some women sharing prescriptions with strangers.
The symptoms of menopause can be debilitating – it has reportedly caused some women to feel suicidal.
Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “We know that cost can be one of the barriers that women face in accessing treatment to manage their symptoms during menopause, and the introduction of HRT pre-payment certificates is a positive step to improve access to HRT.
“This announcement is an important first step, and we hope that more will be done to address the challenges and inequalities faced in accessing menopause care and treatment.”
