John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, has welcomed the announcement from Government that HRT will be cheaper for people prescribed it.

From April 1 2023 people prescribed HRT, the main treatment for menopause symptoms, will have access to a new scheme allowing access to a year’s worth of HRT prescription items for the cost of two single prescription charges which is currently £18.70.

Commenting John said: “I am pleased to see this announcement from Government. Around three quarters of women will experience menopause symptoms, with a quarter experiencing severe symptoms – which can seriously impact their quality of life.

“Reducing the cost of HRT is a huge step towards improving women’s health in this country, and I am pleased to see, not before time, menopause being made a top priority in our women’s health strategy.”

People prescribed HRT will be able to apply online for a digital or paper version of the certificate.

When collecting HRT products, patients will be able to simply show the certificate to the pharmacist and complete the exemption declaration on the NHS prescription form.

The certificate will be valid for 12 months.

It can be used against a list of HRT prescription items with no limit on the number of items it can be used for, such as patches, tablets and topical preparations.

The introduction of the certificate delivers on a year one priority for the Women’s Health Strategy for England.

Published last summer, the strategy sets out an ambitious new agenda for improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls and to improve how the health and care system listens to women.