I see there is now a limit being set of 3 months HRT by the "HRT Czar"

[RitaFaircloughsWig]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61255842

I've been out of the country and missed all of this. I'm just about to pursue in person with my GP Practice the rule they have adopted of having to request each month HRT in handwriting as opposed to repeat prescription and of only being allowed one month at a time. As they work on a turn around time of "at least a week" it seems you only get one script before you have to start requesting the next.

Are there any other guidelines/snippets that I should arm myself with for this meeting?

My points are going to be - why do they have this policy? Their initial reason which was conveyed in a text was to "monitor and review it regularly" - since January when this was implemented there has been no monitoring or review of myself.

Also what are their monitoring and review practices?

Also how do they feel this policy affects the mental wellbeing and impact on time of their patients - trip into surgery to order it, trip in again to collect - "oh sorry we don't have it but I can get you a script from the doctor which you can maybe collect in a few days and you can go elsewhere" - trip in AGAIN to collect said script and then time to visit other pharmacies in the nearby town.

Any tips gratefully received.

The limit has been set by the government as some types of HRT are now classed as 'shortage of medicine'.

It's nothing to do with treatment- it's about supply.

This is so all women have the chance of getting some of their HRT (it only applies to Oestrogel, Ovestin and one other tablet form of HRT.)

While there is a supply issue, some women were not getting any and others were being given 9 months' worth by the pharmacy.

If your practice only does a monthly prescription you need to raise it with them, as it will apply to all prescriptions not just HRT.

Th reason my surgery is only doing once a month is for monitoring and review. They started this in January. It was nothing to do with the supply. I am well aware of the HRT supply issue.

I also get my repeat meds on two months so it is only HRT.

I don't understand your question.

Your subject line is about the HRT Tsar setting a 3-month limit.

I guess if it is specific to your surgery you need to ask them. I was lucky enough to get 3 months even though my surgery normally only issue monthly for every other prescription.

The HRT tsar Is implementing a limit to allow others fair access however, does not apply to you as your surgery only does 1 month whereas some are issuing 3-12 months. The goal was initially to allow women a years worth but the shortage makes that impossible.

Thank you. I was looking for any additional reviews or articles /guidelines to use as ammo in my discussion. I am aware it is specific to my surgery hence why I am trying to arrange a meeting.

The ruling on 3 months only is as @Rupertpenrysmistress said - it's because of the shortage. What your practice does is completely different, aside from this.

It's not a ruling that all prescriptions have to be for 3 months.
It's that 3 months is the maximum at any one time, so all women have the chance of some of the shortage products.

There are lots of posters on these threads saying they have a 1-month prescription. That also applies to many other medication and is not just HRT.

You need to state your case on the basis of inconvenience, cost, etc.

Get a pre-pay certificate, that helps with the cost, especially if you are changing meds and take other stuff.

I have just got a pre pay certificate it was £108 so that's less than your yearly £120, but not really a great deal. It's worth it for me as I pay 2 prescription charges for my HRT.

I can't believe people only get 1 month at a time, it should be standard.