MILLIONS of women will save hundreds of pounds a year on HRT drugs after ministers green lighted pre-payment prescriptions today.
In a major win for The Sun’s Menopause Matters campaign, from April a single prescription charge of £18.70 per year for a 12-month supply of HRT will be made available.
GettyHRT pill next to pill dispenser[/caption]
The Sun has been campaigning for months for HRT pre payment certificates
The one-off charge to replace repeat prescriptions should save women up to £205 per year.
HRT is a treatment which uses oestrogen and progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Last year, The Sun called for free HRT on the NHS for everyone as part of our Menopause Matters campaign.
Labour MP Carolyn Harris of Swansea East, a key activist in greater access for the drug, told a Westminster Hall debate: “Menopause is not a choice and HRT is not a luxury but for many women the monthly costs for their prescriptions will be one of the casualties of family finance cutbacks.
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“It is therefore vital that the promised pre-payment certificate is implemented as soon as possible.”
In response to today’s news Ms Harris said: “After a long fight, the pre-payment certificate for HRT begins April.
“It is exhausting having to drag the Government kicking and screaming to implement the PPC when they agreed to implement it 16 months ago.
“Our future generations should not have to suffer through debilitating symptoms in silence like their mothers and sisters before them!”
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The menopause can be a tough time for women, with symptoms generally starting from the mid-40s and lasting years on end.
The experience can range from person to person – while some lucky few will have no problems with the “transition”, others will experience symptoms so debilitating that it changes their life.
Those who are struggling may benefit from HRT (hormone replacement therapy), which is used to relieve the symptoms such as hot flushes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and night sweats.
In fact, many women say that it changed their life.
But, due to misinformation spanning decades, many women may fear using HRT, and doctors can be reluctant to prescribe it.
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It means millions could be missing out on HRT, regarded as the most effective way to medically treat menopause symptoms.
The Sun’s Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign was launched in October 2021 to empower women to demand the healthy menopause they deserve.