Latest news with #HRTScheme
Irish Examiner
03-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Free HRT now available in over 1,600 pharmacies, says HSE
The HSE has published a list of pharmacies where women can access free hormone replacement therapy (HRT), with more than 1,600 already participating. The scheme launched on Sunday, though it was originally expected to begin in January. Women can now search by pharmacy name or address on the HSE website using a page titled Find a pharmacy offering free HRT. To avail of the service, women need a GP prescription and must first register for the Drugs Payment Scheme. Dr Clíona Murphy, national clinical director for the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme, said many women experience debilitating symptoms during menopause. 'The symptoms, which are caused by changes in our hormones, can include hot flushes, night sweats, flushing, which can be distressing for people affected,' she said. 'Hormone replacement therapy is a medicine-based treatment which can really improve the quality of life for people experiencing symptoms. HRT helps to balance and replace the hormones that your body no longer produces in the same way.' She welcomed the fact that it is now free for those who need it, saying this gives people more options. 'The decision to take HRT should be made in consultation with your doctor,' she advised. Women can also register for the Drugs Payment Scheme on the HSE website. They must provide their name, date of birth, sex, PPS number, and contact details. The scheme also serves to track medications dispensed. Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: 'this is a fantastic support for women and a significant milestone in our commitment to women's health'. She said the move is 'removing financial barriers and providing vital support during all stages of menopause' for women. 'I thank the Irish Pharmacy Union for their partnership in this initiative and those pharmacies right across Ireland that have signed up. I encourage women to log on to the HSE's pharmacy finder to locate their nearest participating pharmacy,' she said. Last month the IPU backed the new plans for a free HRT rollout having described an earlier scheme as unviable. IPU president Tom Murray said: 'Our main priority with the HRT Scheme has been to ensure women receive the medication they need without cost. 'We are endorsing the scheme in good faith, backed by the broader commitments in this framework, including a review of the pharmacy fee structure.'
The Journal
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Health minister and pharmacists break impasse over free HRT scheme
PHARMACISTS AND THE Minister for Health have broken an impasse over how the new scheme for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will be delivered, clearing the way for the scheme to commence next month. HRT used to relieve symptoms of menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause will be available for free at participating pharmacies from 1 June, with a pharmacy dispensing fee of €5 per item. Pharmacies that sign up to the scheme will be supplied with a €2,000 once-off grant for transition arrangements such as upgrading their ICT systems. The Irish Pharmacy Union had previously argued that a €5 dispensing fee was too low and called for it to be raised to at least €6.50, and pharmacists said they wouldn't join the scheme because they couldn't afford to at the proposed dispensing fee. However, after talks between the union and the Department of Health, both sides hve confirmed today that the union has endorsed a revised version of the scheme. Advertisement The dispensing fee is still set at €5 but the once-off grant was raised from €1,000 to €2,000, and the department has agreed to several further commitments, including a review of pharmacy fees. The new framework agreement between the IPU, Department of Health and the HSE also includes government commitments to reduce administrative burdens on pharmacies and support their digitisation. And another key item is the expansion of pharmacy services, such as enabling pharmacists to authorise certain prescription medications for patients. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that with IPU's support for the scheme, she 'anticipates that every pharmacy will now sign up'. 'I hugely welcome the contribution pharmacists make to women's health and to our health services. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the sector in the coming weeks and months,' she said. IPU President Tom Murray described the framework as the 'most comprehensive commitment to the future of Irish pharmacy in decades'. 'Our main priority with the HRT Scheme has been to ensure women receive the medication they need without cost. We are endorsing the scheme in good faith, backed by the broader commitments in this framework, including a review of the pharmacy fee structure,' Murray said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
