- Women in England will be able to access cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopause by applying for a new prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC).
- From 1 April 2023, holders of a HRT PPC will have the cost of their HRT reduced to the cost of two single prescription charges – less than £20 – and HRT will remain free for those with an existing exemption.
- Women will save hundreds of pounds in prescription charges for menopause support, benefitting around 400,000 women across England who are currently prescribed HRT.
Greg Hands MP welcomes that from 1 April 2023, people prescribed HRT – the main treatment for menopause symptoms – will have access to a new scheme enabling access to a year’s worth of HRT prescription items for the cost of two single prescription charges (currently £18.70).
People prescribed HRT will be able to apply online for a digital or paper version of the certificate. When collecting HRT products, patients will be able to simply show the certificate to the pharmacist and complete the exemption declaration on the NHS prescription form.
The certificate will be valid for 12 months. It can be used against a list of HRT prescription items with no limit on the number of items it can be used for, such as patches, tablets and topical preparations.
The introduction of the certificate delivers on a year one priority for the Women’s Health Strategy for England. Published last summer, the strategy sets out an ambitious new agenda for improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls and to improve how the health and care system listens to women.
Commenting, Greg Hands said:
“This Conservative Government is making HRT cheaper for women experiencing menopause symptoms. This will save women hundreds of pounds and will benefit around 400,000 women across England.
“This positive step is part of the Government delivering on its’ Women’s Health Strategy.”
Commenting, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:
“This new certificate will make HRT more accessible than ever before – helping around 400,000 women save hundreds of pounds a year.
“This is another step in our drive to improve support for millions of women experiencing the menopause, delivering on our Women’s Health Strategy.”
Commenting, Minister for Women Maria Caufield said:
“Around three quarters of women will experience menopause symptoms, with a 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.”
Commenting, Women’s Health Ambassador, Dame Lesley Regan, said:
“The menopause is an inevitable stage in a woman’s lifecourse. As a gynaecologist I’ve witnessed first-hand the symptoms that women experience which can have debilitating impacts on their daily lives.
“Making HRT more affordable will have a hugely beneficial impact on the lives of so many women. This pre-payment certificate is a major step forward in prioritising the health and wellbeing of women.”
ENDS
