The so-called ‘free HRT scheme’ will not mean the treatment is entirely free for all women in need, a prominent pharmacist has warned. 

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medicines-based treatment that relieves the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings.

HRT can come in the form of tablets, creams, gels, sprays and skin patches.

On The Pat Kenny Show, Wondercare pharmacist Sheena Mitchell said women will still end up paying for certain elements of HRT.

"A lot of people are interpreting the 'free HRT scheme' to mean they will have no cost associated with accessing free HRT," Ms Mithcell said.

"Unfortunately, the reality of the 'free HRT scheme' is it’s not free access to HRT for women.

"The law says the HSE shall make available without charge menopause products for women and women are interpreting that to mean that they can have access to HRT, but it’s only free access to the HRT products.” 

Costs

Ms Mitchell said some menopause patients could still end up paying €1,224 per year for HRT - depending on which treatment path they choose.

She said some menopause specialists may prescribe medications that are not licensed in Ireland - but are recommended as safe and robust by the British Menopause Society Guidelines.

These medications can cost up to €400 per month, and they will not be reimbursable under the new scheme.

Patients may also have to cover the costs of specialist fees, pharmacy levies and blood tests.

An already open HRT, Hormone Therapy Replacement pills in dispenser for perimenopause treatment. Image by Alamy.

Ms Mitchell said there are other issues with the scheme beyond the cost.

"There's no detail of even what products are going to be covered under this scheme or what they’re going to do about the unlicensed medicines," she said.

"We don’t even know if we’re going to have an IT scheme to facilitate the reimbursement of this in less than two months time.

"As a community pharmacist, we have clearly stated that there are legacy issues which mean that we can’t take on extra administrative burden."

Customer giving prescription to pharmacist in pharmacy, Alamy, 2015.

Ms Mitchell called for the Government to implement a robust women's health scheme.

"What would be wonderful, to continue Mr Donnelly’s strong legacy in women’s health, would be to form an integrated women’s health plan as proposed by the Irish Pharmacy Union to combine the HRT and contraceptive scheme," she said.

"This would actually mean equity in care across all ages of women."

The rollout of free HRT products is set to begin in January 2025.

Feature image: A woman applies an oestrogen patch, via Phanie/Alamy Stock Photo