Women to save hundreds of pounds a year on HRT drugs after ministers green light pre-payment prescriptions

MILLIONS of women will save hundreds of pounds a year on HRT drugs after ministers today gave the green light to prepayment prescriptions.

In a big win for The Sun’s Menopause Matters campaign, a one-off prescription fee of £18.70 per year for 12 months of HRT will be made available from April.

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The one-off fee for replacing repeated prescriptions should save women up to £205 a year.

HRT is a treatment that uses estrogen and progesterone to relieve menopausal symptoms.

Last year The Sun called for free NHS HRT for all as part of our Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign.

Swansea East Labor MP Carolyn Harris, a key campaigner for greater access to the drug, said in a debate at Westminster Hall: “Menopause is not an option and HRT is not a luxury, but for many women the monthly cost is becoming more important for their prescriptions being one of the victims of family finance cuts.

“It is therefore important that the promised prepayment certificate is implemented as quickly as possible.”

In response to today’s news, Ms Harris said: “After a long struggle, HRT’s prepayment certificate begins in April.

“It’s exhausting having to trample and shout at the government to implement the PPC when they agreed to implement it 16 months ago.

“Our future generations should not have to suffer debilitating symptoms in silence like their mothers and sisters did before them!”

Menopause can be a tough time for women, with symptoms typically beginning in the mid-40s and lasting for years.

The experience can range from person to person – while some lucky ones will have no trouble making the “transition,” others will experience symptoms so debilitating that they are life-changing.

Those who are struggling may benefit from HRT (hormone replacement therapy), which is used to relieve symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness and night sweats.

In fact, many women say it has changed their lives.

However, due to decades of misinformation, many women may be afraid of HRT, and doctors may be reluctant to prescribe it.

It means millions of people could be missing out on HRT, considered the most effective medical treatment for menopausal symptoms.

The Sun’s Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign launched in October 2021 to empower women to claim the healthy menopause they deserve.