HRT costs have been cut under a new scheme starting in April in England. Menopausal women will save £205 a year on hormone replacement therapy drugs via a pre-payment prescription certificate.
A single NHS prescription for HRT currently costs £9.35, or £18.70 if a woman needs two types of hormones (oestrogen and progesterone). HRT prescriptions cover short-term treatment, meaning women can end up paying that cost (£9.35 or £18.70) once a month despite often needing the medication long-term. Over the space of a year, this can add up to hundreds of pounds.
And women have paid even more due to recent HRT shortages, with some women reportedly resorting to buying medication online for up to eight times the NHS price, while others have met in car parks to buy and sell supplies.
From 1 April the new scheme will mean a one-off payment of £18.70 per year for a 12-month supply of HRT.
Women will need to apply for a certificate for HRT prescription items through the NHS Business Service Authority or in person at pharmacies registered to sell them. There will be no limit to how many times the certificate can be used while it is valid.
Welsh Labour MP Carolyn Harris, co-chairman of the UK Menopause Taskforce, tweeted that the good news about the single annual charge was tempered by an ongoing HRT shortage:
📅500 days on from my Private Members Bill, the Government finally implements the #HRT PPC. But what should be a day of celebration for #WomensHealth is spoilt, as women going through #menopause up and down the country know - what good is this change if I can't get my HRT? pic.twitter.com/544AA9421aFebruary 21, 2023
Menopause can be a difficult time for women, with symptoms — such as hot flushes, anxiety, weight gain, mood swings and night sweats — generally starting from the mid-40s and lasting many years, with some experiencing symptoms so extreme that it changes their life.
Some people who are struggling may benefit from HRT — and there's been a concerted drive to raise awareness of its benefits. Some people find the side effects more challenging than the symptoms, though, and others are unable to use it due to medical conditions.
Related articles
-
-
Octopus Energy relaunches energy tracker deal – we explain what you need to know and if it could save you money
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer, you may be able to save on your energy bills with the relaunch of its tracker deal. We look at how it works
-
Three energy firms pay £8m in switching compensation - has your provider paid out?
More than 100,000 customers have received compensation after changing providers, but is now a good time to switch energy suppliers?
