Pre-payment certificates for HRT medication

Posted on March 16th, 2023

Menopausal women in England will save hundreds of pounds on HRT prescriptions when a prepayment certificate is introduced on 1st April 2023.

Women will be able to access HRT for menopausal symptoms at a reduced cost by paying a one-off fee for up to a year’s worth of treatment.

The government confirmed the introduction of the new prescription prepayment certificates after calls to widen access to HRT.

What is the HRT prescription prepayment certificate?

The HRT pre-payment certificate is a bespoke certificate that will provide women access to HRT at a reduced cost.

Instead of paying for monthly prescriptions, women will be able to access their HRT by paying a one-off charge the equivalent of two single prescriptions, currently £19.30, for up to a 12-month supply of HRT.

The move could save women hundreds of pounds a year, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). There will be no limit to how many times the certificate can be used, or how many HRT items it can be used for, during the 12-months it is valid.

Women will be able to apply for the certificate in person at a pharmacy registered to sell the certificates, or through the NHS Business Services Authority. A digital or paper copy will be made available.

Once it has been approved it will be available to use immediately on or after 1 April 2023.

What does it cover?

The certificate will be valid against a range of HRT prescription items, including patches, tablets and topical preparations. It can be used for an unlimited amount of these treatments, DHSC confirmed.

A full list of treatments covered by the certificate can be found here.