Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted in Part
We are extremely disappointed that despite a clear Government commitment on a single-cost, annual pre-payment...
Recommendation
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
Government Response Summary
The government is committed to reducing the cost of HRT prescriptions and will introduce a bespoke pre-payment certificate (PPC) for HRT medicines from April 2023, and will provide comprehensive material for women, prescribers and pharmacists, but has no plans to encourage GPs to issue 12-month prescriptions.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
43. The government accepts this recommendation in part. 44. The government is committed to reducing the cost of HRT prescriptions and work is underway with the NHS Business Services Authority to develop a bespoke pre-payment certificate (PPC) for HRT medicines licensed to treat the menopause. This will be introduced from April 2023, subject to consultation with all relevant representative bodies which is still ongoing. The intention is that from April 2023 patients will be able to purchase this bespoke HRT PPC at the cost of two prescription charges (currently £18.70). This means most women, if not all, on HRT will benefit from reduced prescription costs. 45. We fully agree that these changes need to be communicated widely so primary care prescribers and pharmacists are aware of this change and women can benefit from these reduced costs as quickly as possible. We are currently exploring how best to deliver the HRT PPC in primary care with the representative bodies for GPs and community pharmacists. We are committed to providing comprehensive material for women, prescribers and pharmacists using a range of communication tools and styles. 46. We have no plans at this time to encourage GPs to issue 12-month prescriptions given the planned introduction of the HRT PPC which will reduce costs of HRT prescriptions and because this could have a detrimental impact on the current supply situation for HRT medicines.