Prescriptions for the hormone replacement therapy drug (HRT) will now be cheaper across England. 

Starting today, April 1, HRT can now be obtained using a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), which will last for 12 months and cost £19.30 for the year.

The Government estimates the move will help 400,000 women save hundreds of pounds annually.

Anyone who takes HRT will get a certificate online or in some pharmacies, which can be used as many times as needed in the 12-month period.

The certificate includes access to eligible HRT items, including patches, tablets, pessaries and gels and creams applied to the skin.

You can check if your HRT medicine is covered by the PPC via the website.

Bournemouth Echo:

GP and menopause specialist Dr Louise Newson said: “This is a step in the right direction, other hormones are freely available on the NHS to anyone so HRT should ideally be no different.

“Research has shown that women living in more deprived areas are less likely to be prescribed HRT.

“There are many health benefits from taking HRT, including reducing future risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, which many perimenopausal and menopausal women are missing out from.

“There are too many barriers for women to access menopause treatment and cost of HRT is one so I hope this will really make a difference.

“However, it is disappointing to see that testosterone will not be covered by the certificate.

“Testosterone is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for symptoms of low libido where HRT alone is not helping and, in my clinic, patients often say it helps with other menopausal symptoms including brain fog and low mood.”