Women going through the menopause will be able to access cheaper drugs on a new NHS multi-buy deal from today saving hundreds of pounds a year.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will be made available in England for 12 months for around the cost of two prescription charges.
Prescriptions are free of charge in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but from today will go up by 30p to £9.65 in England.
It comes after criticism of the financial difficulties faced by women going through the menopause in England.
Around 400,000 women in England are expected to take advantage of the £19.30 prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) for an unlimited supply for the year.
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Davina McCall has relentlessly campaigned for more awareness around the menopause (Getty)Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Menopause care is essential healthcare, and we are ensuring cost is no longer a barrier to women getting the medicines they need.
“Better access to HRT will improve the lives of millions and gives women the freedom to take control of their symptoms.”
Currently around 15% of women aged 45-64 in England are prescribed HRT.
This has increased rapidly in the last two years from around 11% and continues to increase.
It comes after shortages of HRT drugs in some areas reportedly left some women suicidal.
The PPC will be valid for 12 months and used against HRT prescription items such as patches, tablets and topical preparations.
Prof Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England said: “Many women do not realise that they are going through the menopause.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: 'Menopause care is essential healthcare' (AFP via Getty Images)“Helping to make them aware about the inevitability of becoming menopausal, is an important first step.
“The next step is improving awareness that HRT may be an option to help women manage this stage of their life course .
“Making HRT easier to access will significantly improve the lives of many women who choose to use it, enabling them to reach their full potential.”
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Women will need to apply for the PPC, through the NHS Business Service Authority or in person at a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs.
When collecting HRT products, patients will be able to simply show the digital or paper copy HRT PPC to the pharmacist and complete the exemption declaration on the NHS prescription form.
PPC are already available on the NHS for people who have repeat prescriptions but for non-HRT drugs they cost £30.25 for three months or £108.10 for 12 months.
Patients can visit https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-hormone-replacement-therapy-prescription-prepayment-certificate-hrt-ppc or call the NHS PPC line on 0300 330 1341 to enquire about signing up.
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