Women now eligible for lower Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescription costs.
The HRT PPC is one of the key commitments in the Women’s Health Strategy published last year. The DHSC says around 400,000 women could benefit. Research has shown HRT prescribing is higher for women living in more affluent areas, so the HRT PPC could help cut health inequalities if it encourages more women to come forward who were previously put off from seeking help for symptoms due to the cost.
- If you pay for NHS prescribed HRT medicine 3 or more times in 12 months, an HRT Prescription Payment Certificate (PPC) could save you money.
- Each item on an NHS prescription usually costs £9.65. You can buy an HRT PPC for a one-off payment of £19.30 (the cost of two single items).
- The HRT PPC covers an unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months, regardless of why they are prescribed. (A full list of the different types of HRT covered can be found at: Medicines covered by the HRT PPC | NHSBSA)
- Women will have to make a one-off annual payment for the HRT PPC.
- The application process opened on 1st April, via the website of the NHS Business Services Authority, which issues PPCs, or in person at a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs.
Please note that people already prescribed HRT, don’t need to see their GPs to get the HRT PPC.
If you get NHS prescriptions for something other than HRT medicines:
If you get prescriptions for items other than HRT medicines, you may save more with a 3 or 12 month PPC that covers all NHS prescriptions. For some women taking other regular medication, it may be better for them to apply for the existing 3-month or 12 month PPC.
A PPC will save you more than an HRT PPC if you get:
- 4 or more items in a 3-month period and at least 2 are not for HRT medication
- 12 or more items in 12-month period and at least 10 are not for HRT medication
