Call to relax pharmacy rules in the UK’s lack of HRT | Menopause

Sajid Javid revealed that some women have traveled hundreds of miles to look for hormone replacement therapy products, and called for changes to the law so that pharmacists can change their prescriptions in the event of a drug shortage. Has been done.

There were some serious shortages HRT A product used by about 1 million women in the UK to treat the symptoms of menopause.

Claire Anderson, chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said local pharmacists should be able to dispense alternative versions of prescription drugs without having to contact the prescriber (usually a general practitioner) each time.

Currently, UK law requires that only accurate prescriptions be provided.

The proposed shake-up also allows pharmacists to change the amount, intensity, and prescription of HRT and other medicines dispensed.

“At this point, pharmacists cannot modify their HRT prescriptions, so they need to refer HRT to women. GPS When medicine is not available, “Anderson said. “Allowing pharmacists to do so not only saves time for patients, pharmacists, and doctors, but also reduces anxiety for women waiting for medication.”

Javid on Sunday Appoint HRT Emperor To deal with the shortage. Number of HRT products Prescriptions in the UK have doubled in the last five years, Stock is lowAlthough the manufacturer reports a supply problem.

Some women have shared prescriptions or traveled hundreds of miles to procure products, and there are concerns that they may commit suicide as a result of untreated symptoms.

Anderson said he welcomed Havid’s plan to hire an HRT emperor, but “due to continued concerns from patient groups about supplying medicines to people in other conditions, this appointment puts patients in medicine. It must be part of a broader government strategy to make it accessible. “

She states: “Pharmacists spend a lot of time dealing with drug shortages when they want to talk about patient care. One solution is for pharmacists to make small changes to their prescriptions when something is out of stock. To be able to add. This is faster for the patient and more efficient for the NHS.

“Difficulty in accessing HRT unfairly affects women, affects mental health and exacerbates health inequality. This affects not only patients but also the health and care workforce. It’s an area of ​​influence. “

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), which represents the UK’s NHS community pharmacy, said demand has outpaced the supply of a small number of HRT drugs and a 12-month prescription has exacerbated the situation.

A PSNC spokeswoman said, “Disruptions in drug supply can fluctuate very rapidly and very locally.” “The situation is highly dependent on demand, local prescriptions, and existing inventory levels in pharmacies. It is difficult to know where the supply is because we are constantly moving through the supply chain.

“Some pharmacies know that they receive HRT prescriptions from women and prescribers hundreds of miles away, but there is nothing to check if there are significant regional differences in supply. . “

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of PSNC, said:

“The confusion seems to be caused by a sudden increase in demand for some medicines and some prescriptions written over a much longer period than usual. Women do not have access to the medicines they rely on. Is very worrisome for women. The pharmacy team knows this and will do everything they can. In many cases, other prescriptions may be available, but the pharmacy is the first to go. It may take some time for the pharmacy to sort out because you have to talk to your doctor. “

Labor Party lawmaker Carolyn Harris, co-chair of the UK Menopause Task Force, welcomed the minister’s promise to address the shortfall. She states: “The problems with menopause are that they haven’t listened to women for too long, that they have been ignored, that they have been prescribed and diagnosed with other symptoms, and that menopause is not taken into account. is.”