Recommendation 4

We are extremely disappointed that despite a clear Government commitment on a single-cost, annual pre-payment certificate for HRT, almost nine months later that commitment has not been realised. Progress has been further derailed by supply issues. We welcome the Health Secretary’s announcement of an ‘HRT tsar’ to consider the challenges with supply. The Government must act urgently to ensure that lower cost HRT prescriptions are being issued and dispensed. Over the next three months the Government should communicate widely to ensure GPs and patients Menopause and the workplace 47 know about both the current NICE guidelines permitting a 12-month prescription, and the forthcoming single-cost pre-payment certificate. This should include but not be limited to: (Paragraph 35) • writing to all GPs and community pharmacists to ensure they know about the new scheme • communications (for example, posters) in GP surgeries, pharmacies and walk-in centres • through the Gov.uk website and DHSC social media accounts