Women have been unable to access cheaper hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions that were supposed to be available from today.
HRT should have been obtainable to women going through menopause in England from today, using a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC), which will last for 12 months and cost £19.30 for the year.
But women have been unable to sort the certificate online due to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website being down.
The NHSBSA apologised and said it is working to fix the problem, adding that women will be able to backdate their certificate if they buy it at a later date.
We’re aware that some people are experiencing issues when trying to buy an HRT PPC. We're working to fix the issue and we apologise for the inconvenience.
— NHS Business Services Authority (@NHSBSA) April 1, 2023
You will be able to backdate your certificate if you buy it at a later date. The HRT PPC can start from 1 April 2023.
A spokesperson said: “We’re aware that some people are experiencing issues when trying to buy an HRT PPC this morning following the introduction of the new service.
“We’re working to put a fix in place as soon as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience.
“We can reassure people wanting to buy a certificate that if they aren’t able to buy one today, they will be able to backdate their certificate if they buy it at a later date.
“If you need your HRT medicine before you buy the HRT PPC, ask your pharmacist for an FP57 receipt when you pay for your HRT medication.
"You will be able to get a refund from the pharmacy.
“The HRT PPC can start from April 1 2023.”
🆕From today, you can get cheaper HRT prescriptions to ease menopause symptoms by getting the new HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate.@MariaCaulfield hears how Helen will benefit as the cost of the listed HRT items is reduced to under £20 a year.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) April 1, 2023
🔗 https://t.co/sNwpAFKqnf pic.twitter.com/dLizN1YP0y
The Government estimates the certificate will help 400,000 women save hundreds of pounds annually.
Women can get the certificate online – when the website is back up and running – or in some pharmacies, and it can be used as many times as needed in the 12-month period.
The certificate includes access to eligible HRT items including patches, tablets, pessaries and gels and creams applied to the skin.
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