The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has included Tibolone 2.5mg tablets (Livial) and Prasterone 6.5mg pessaries (Intrarosa) to the list of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
It has updated the June 2023 Drug Tariff (Part XVI) to include these additional HRT medicines for which patients will be able to purchase an HRT PPC.
"HRT is the replacement of female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone in women to control symptoms of the menopause. Some medicines that are converted or break down into oestrogen, progestogen or androgen hormones are prescribed for relief of menopausal symptoms. For the purposes of the HRT PPC these are included within this definition of HRT," said DHSC.
Types of HRT include- combined oestrogen plus progestogen HRT – for women who still have their uterus; oestrogen only HRT – for women who have had a hysterectomy and tibolone – acts as a combined hormone therapy.
DHSC has advised pharmacy staff to check the NHSBSA website for an up-to-date list of HRT medicines covered by the HRT PPC. Community Pharmacy England (formerly PSNC) has updated its HRT medicines list to reflect the changes taking effect from June 2023.
The HRT medicines list has been compiled following consultation with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), NHSBSA and the NHS England Menopause Clinical Reference Group.
