Women will only have access to three months of delivery of certain hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products in an attempt to address the shortage in the UK.
Health Minister Sajid Javid has issued Serious Deficiency Protocols (SSPs) to limit the dosage of products.
This means that Oestrogel, Ovestin cream and Premique Low Dose will be distributed in limited quantities to each person to “equalize” the distribution.
This move is in response to concerns about longer prescribing cycles, which are putting pressure on the availability of some HRT products.
However, those who already have a prescription for more than three months will not be required to pay additional fees for treatment to which they do not have access, confirmed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (DHSC).
Mr Javid said: “I want to reassure women that I have listened to their concerns and I will not hesitate to take decisive action to ensure that they have access to the HRT they need.
“We will not leave a stone unturned in our national mission to increase the supply of HRT – and this next step will ensure that women in the UK have reliable access to this vital medicine and maintain this lifeline for millions who are need it.
Hormone therapy helps to combat the symptoms of menopause, which include anxiety, joint pain, disturbed sleep and hot flashes.
The health ministry said the SSP would expire on July 29, with pharmacists expected to “use their professional judgment” to decide how to apply them.
NHS data show that HRT prescriptions have more than doubled in England in the last five years.
About 538,000 HRT prescriptions were issued in December, compared to 238,000 in January 2017, according to OpenPrescribing data.
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2:15 Lack of HRT drugs
Amid the continuing shortage, the company behind popular HRT treatment, Oestrogel, recently said it was on track to meet growing demand.
Read more: The king of hormone replacement therapy will be appointed, as the lack of drugs makes women feel prone to suicide
Besins Healthcare UK, which makes the gel, said women would be able to receive longer-term prescriptions from June and more people could start HRT as they plan to increase supplies.
Mr Javid announced on Thursday that he had appointed Madeleine McTernan, director general of the COVID Vaccine Working Group, to lead a new HRT working group, which the government said would “apply the lessons it has learned from the vaccine.” against coronavirus’.
Ms McTernan said: “This is a step in the right direction to tackle the supply problems that women face when it comes to accessing HRT and ensuring an ongoing, reliable supply.”
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