![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/blow-for-millions-of-women-as-hrt-promise-faces-another-delay/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/NINTCHDBPICT000517189422.jpg&description=HUGE plans to improve access to and reduce costs of HRT for millions could be delayed indefinitely, MPs have heard. Health minister Will Quince couldn't guarantee proposals to allow women to pay a one-off annual charge for HRT rather than repeat prescriptions would be delivered by April as promised. Plans to improve access to and reduce costs of HRT for millions could be delayedCredit: Getty - Contributor He said he was "confident" the target would be met but said it's introduction is 'subject to the necessary consultation with professional bodies' and this would be the reason for 'any potential delay'. The Government committed in October 2021 to introducing a single prescription charge of £18.70 per year for a 12-month supply of HRT, adding it would save women up to £205 per year. Last year, The Sun called for free HRT on the NHS for everyone as part of our Menopause Matters campaign. Labour MP Carolyn Harris of Swansea East, a key campaigner in greater access for HRT, told a Westminster Hall debate: 'Menopause is not a choice and HRT is not a luxury but for many women the monthly costs for their prescriptions will be one of the casualties of family finance cutbacks. 'It is therefore vital that the promised pre-payment certificate is implemented as soon as possible." HRT is currently available on prescription for £9.35 a time in England, although it is free in Scotland and Wales. 'Women have already waited for a year," Carolyn said. "The last date we were advised for its introduction was April 2023 and I'd be grateful if when the minister responds we could today have a guarantee that this date will not slip any further back," she added. Mr Quince, concluding the debate, said: 'We are absolutely committed to reducing the cost of HRT prescriptions through a bespoke pre-payment certificate for HRT and we will introduce this from April 2023, now here's the caveat, subject to the necessary consultation with professional bodies. 'My honourable friend asks me for a cast-i){kind=link}
HUGE plans to improve access to and reduce costs of HRT for millions could be delayed indefinitely, MPs have heard.
Health minister Will Quince couldn’t guarantee proposals to allow women to pay a one-off annual charge for HRT rather than repeat prescriptions would be delivered by April as promised.
He said he was “confident” the target would be met but said it’s introduction is “subject to the necessary consultation with professional bodies” and this would be the reason for “any potential delay”.
The Government committed in October 2021 to introducing a single prescription charge of £18.70 per year for a 12-month supply of HRT, adding it would save women up to £205 per year.
Last year, The Sun called for free HRT on the NHS for everyone as part of our Menopause Matters campaign.