Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost 2023-03-07
2023-03-07
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the high costs of HRT for people experiencing menopause symptoms.
What steps are being taken to help reduce the cost of hormone replacement therapy for people with menopause symptoms?
From 1 April, women will be able to apply for an HRT prepayment prescription for less than £20 a year to pay for all their HRT, whether they are on patches, gels or dual hormones.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
England is the only UK nation not offering free prescriptions, and this affects people experiencing menopause.
Although cost reductions are welcome, England still does not offer free prescriptions. Will the Minister consider following Scotland's lead and scrap prescription charges to provide better support for those experiencing menopause?
About 60% of women in England who are on hormone replacement therapy are already exempt from prescription charges, but we are reducing the cost by hundreds of pounds a year for the remaining women. We respect Scotland's decision to provide free prescriptions, but it would cost £651 million annually in England to offer free paracetamol to everyone.
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Assessment & feedback
Specifically avoided addressing whether they will follow Scotland's lead and scrap prescription charges.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
On International Women's Day, the MP pays tribute to individuals and organisations advocating for menopause support. They are questioning whether all products will be eligible for HRT prepayment and addressing shortages in HRT.
With International Women's Day tomorrow, I want to pay tribute to the menopause warriors—all the amazing individual women and organisations who have forced this issue up the agenda, including my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea East (Carolyn Harris). Will all products that help with menopause symptoms be eligible for the prescription prepayment scheme? What are Ministers doing to end ongoing shortages in HRT, causing anxiety among women?
All licensed HRT products will be available on the prepayment certificate. Over 70 products are available, with 19 facing a shortage last year but now down to five. Utrogestan is back in stock and being distributed. There has been a 50% increase in women getting HRT prescriptions.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address why the menopause taskforce had not met since June last year.
Response accuracy