Better access to hormone replacement therapy will help women realize their potential, a government ambassador said, as cheaper prescriptions become available from Saturday.
Women in England going through menopause can now do so access cheaper HRT using a Prepayment Prescription (PPC) which is valid for 12 months and costs £19.30.
The government estimates that the measure will help 400,000 women save hundreds of pounds each year.
They can get the certificate online or in some pharmacies and it can be used as many times as needed while it is valid.
The certificate gives access to eligible HRT items, including patches, tablets, diaphragms, and gels and creams that are applied to the skin.
‘An important first step’
Women can check if their HRT medicine is covered by the PPC by visiting the NHS website.
Prof Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador in England, said: “Many women don’t realize they are going through menopause.
“Helping to make them aware of the inevitability of entering menopause is an important first step.
“The next step is to raise awareness that HRT may be an option to help women manage this phase of life.
“Making HRT more easily accessible will significantly improve the lives of many women who choose to use it, enabling them to reach their full potential.”
Steve BarclayMinister of Health and Social Affairs, said:Menopause care is essential care and we’re making cost no longer a barrier for women to get the medicines they need.
“Better access to HST will improve the lives of millions and gives women the freedom to manage their symptoms.
“We have rightly put women’s health at the top of the agenda through our Women’s Health Strategy and continue to deliver on our promises.”
Dr. Louise Newson, general practitioner and menopause specialist, said: “This is a step in the right direction. Other hormones are available over the counter on the NHS for everyone, so HRT ideally shouldn’t be any different.
“Research has shown that women living in more deprived areas are less likely to be prescribed HRT.
“There are many health benefits of taking HRTincluding reducing future risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, many of which perimenopausal and menopausal women miss of.
‘Too many obstacles’
“There are too many barriers for women to access menopause treatment and the cost of HRT is one, so I hope this will really make a difference.
“However, it is disappointing to see that testosterone is not covered by the certificate.
“Testosterone is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for symptoms of low libido where HRT alone doesn’t help, and in my clinic patients often say it helps with other menopausal symptoms, including brain fog and low mood.”
She said other potential issues included warnings from pharmacists that the IT infrastructure was not yet in place to support the rollout and that not all HRT products are covered by the new certification.