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Original poster

HRT prepaid prescription

66 replies

AlphaAlpha · 31/03/2023 15:18

The HRT prepaid prescription certificate goes live tomorrow.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc

OP posts:
Moomin37 · 01/04/2023 12:07

I tried at 5am this morning and the webpage looked the same as yesterday (i.e. no obvious link to an application form) and now like everyone else I can't access it at all. What a joke and on April Fools too...

What I don't understand is why many women can only get a prescription for three months at a time - is that normal for drugs that are likely to be required for years on end or on a permanent basis? I realise there needs to be a regular review of dosage / type, but surely for most women every 12 months or so would be sufficient? Or are short prescriptions simply about generating revenue from the prescription charge?

BatshitCrazyWoman · 01/04/2023 12:11

I couldn't get one before I picked up my prescription, but had a chat with the pharmacist, who did me a ln FP57 form and said he thinks I can claim it back. I was the first to ask him about it he said, but he was aware of it. My GP only prescribes 3 months worth at a time, so it's worth it for me!

ladyforallseasons · 01/04/2023 12:39

Website crashes as menopausal women try to get certificate for HRT
mol.im/a/11926595

jazzandh · 01/04/2023 12:46

I've just done mine. You can set the start date to whenever you want and have an email/ printed copy - so it is instant.

MrsHamlet · 01/04/2023 12:48

I've just got mine. I can only get 3 months at a time and it's a double charge every time so I'm very pleased

JinglingSpringbells · 01/04/2023 14:11

Moomin37 · 01/04/2023 12:07

I tried at 5am this morning and the webpage looked the same as yesterday (i.e. no obvious link to an application form) and now like everyone else I can't access it at all. What a joke and on April Fools too...

What I don't understand is why many women can only get a prescription for three months at a time - is that normal for drugs that are likely to be required for years on end or on a permanent basis? I realise there needs to be a regular review of dosage / type, but surely for most women every 12 months or so would be sufficient? Or are short prescriptions simply about generating revenue from the prescription charge?

No, it's because some of the items were/are on the shortage of medicines list and to help everyone get some, only 3 months is given.

The prescription charge doesn't even cover the cost of the drugs (I pay privately and therefore pay the 'real price for it.)

Moomin37 · 01/04/2023 14:26

OK sorry meant to say shortages aside @JinglingSpringbells - if there was sufficient supply then it doesn't make sense for hundreds of thousands of women to be contacting GP surgeries every three months for a repeat prescription (perhaps it was like this a few years ago and is just a recent development). Imagine the saving in terms of administration costs if this was cut down to once or twice a year!

I have paid privately for menopause care and prescriptions, and still have to pay for testosterone, so aware of the true cost. That's on top of paying privately for care in relation to other women's health issues as unfortunately the NHS doesn't cut it.

vjg13 · 01/04/2023 14:37

I was able to get a 6 month supply this week after submitting a blood pressure reading. I'd been on a 3 month trial of it from January. The nurse practitioner was able to tell me which pharmacy would have supplies.

Whaeanui · 01/04/2023 14:41

The ‘true cost’ is covered by our taxes!

Sidge · 01/04/2023 15:20

We’ve only been allowed to prescribe 3 months at a time of most items for a couple of years now under serious shortage protocols.

Also we tend to prescribe 3 monthly for the first year or so to assess response, establish appropriate dosing and ensure safety. Once we know all is well we can prescribe 6 monthly with a yearly review.

Moomin37 · 01/04/2023 15:27

Thanks @Sidge that's useful to know.

JinglingSpringbells · 01/04/2023 15:44

Moomin37 · 01/04/2023 14:26

OK sorry meant to say shortages aside @JinglingSpringbells - if there was sufficient supply then it doesn't make sense for hundreds of thousands of women to be contacting GP surgeries every three months for a repeat prescription (perhaps it was like this a few years ago and is just a recent development). Imagine the saving in terms of administration costs if this was cut down to once or twice a year!

I have paid privately for menopause care and prescriptions, and still have to pay for testosterone, so aware of the true cost. That's on top of paying privately for care in relation to other women's health issues as unfortunately the NHS doesn't cut it.

@Moomin37 The 3-month prescribing only came in once the shortages were in place. That was about 18 months ago.

Some women have always been on a 3-month repeat as Drs like to review their progress. (This is the case with loads of drugs, even ones like thyroxine what someone can be taking for life.)

I used to be prescribed 6 months of HRT at once (if I wanted it - usually I took less as I often had a couple of months in hand) and my consultant said he was happy to prescribe 6 months, then he'd want to do a review. The legal guidance on most drugs incl HRT is a review at least once a year.

JinglingSpringbells · 01/04/2023 15:45

@sidge I assumed (wrongly) a few posts back on another thread that you were a GP. Are you admin, as you are on the ball with prescribing- or a nurse?

Sidge · 01/04/2023 15:46

Just a prescribing nurse practitioner @JinglingSpringbells

BatFaceOwl · 01/04/2023 16:46

I managed to get mine an hour ago - had website issues all day when trying

Anyway , £19.30 for 12 months will help a little

Moomin37 · 01/04/2023 16:55

Thanks @JinglingSpringbells. If I'm on three months due to shortages that is fair enough, however, if it's not due to that then I'm not sure why as my GP only plans to 'review' me once per year. Let's hope they sort the supply issues soon, although I guess it's an uphill battle given the increasing uptake of HRT.

Tiddler39 · 01/04/2023 21:30

Hullothereitsme · 01/04/2023 07:32

Anyone know how it works with a prepayment cert already in place? Can it be switched? Will I get a refund?

I’m also wondering this - I pay £10.81 a month for a PPC but only get one non-HRT item so even paying for that separately the HRT ppc will save me loads.

Wondering if I can just cancel the DD?!

RestingMurderousFace · 03/04/2023 23:10

Just printed mine off, thanks for the links. All seems a bit too good to be true!

Do all pharmacies accept these certificates, or is it only selected ones?

Strongbeatsskinny · 04/04/2023 09:06

RestingMurderousFace · 03/04/2023 23:10

Just printed mine off, thanks for the links. All seems a bit too good to be true!

Do all pharmacies accept these certificates, or is it only selected ones?

A pharmacy cannot refuse a pre payment certificate the government has approved it. You buy it for £19.30 and show it when you collect your HRT prescription valid for the year.

BarbaraofSeville · 04/04/2023 09:19

RestingMurderousFace · 03/04/2023 23:10

Just printed mine off, thanks for the links. All seems a bit too good to be true!

Do all pharmacies accept these certificates, or is it only selected ones?

I disagree. It's just a limited PPC, because it's only for one kind of medication, that they will know the cost of and the amount needed each year.

Unlike the standard PPC that has always existed, where people can get multiple items that could cost the NHS thousands, for a tenner a month.

RestingMurderousFace · 04/04/2023 12:29

BarbaraofSeville · 04/04/2023 09:19

I disagree. It's just a limited PPC, because it's only for one kind of medication, that they will know the cost of and the amount needed each year.

Unlike the standard PPC that has always existed, where people can get multiple items that could cost the NHS thousands, for a tenner a month.

Show quote history

Well I’ve never had any kind of NHS discount certificate so I’m very pleased, especially as I was paying privately at first!

RestingMurderousFace · 04/04/2023 12:29

Strongbeatsskinny · 04/04/2023 09:06

A pharmacy cannot refuse a pre payment certificate the government has approved it. You buy it for £19.30 and show it when you collect your HRT prescription valid for the year.

Show quote history

Thank you!