What you need to know about the HRT scheme

After months of uncertainty regarding the provision of free HRT for women, an agreement has finally been reached with the Irish Pharmacy Union as to how this can happen in a way that doesn’t undermine the work of the pharmacy profession.

Having a free HRT scheme operating in a way that is tenable for pharmacy businesses is an important aspect of its future sustainability, to prevent them from working at a loss.

The promise of an review of pay freezes in the pharmacy sector has made this progress possible.

A very welcome addition to the free contraception scheme that is being gradually rolled out, this new scheme will have significant positive benefits for the women of Ireland, as well as their families.

Hormone replacement therapy has the potential to help with the physical and/or mental effects of menopause and peri-menopause, by rebalancing the hormones that are impacted during this time of life.

Treatment comes in a variety of forms and doses, and it’s often a case of trial and error to find the best approach for you.

While not for everybody (as discussed later), for many, HRT can be absolutely life-changing, but the cost was previously often prohibitive. Thankfully, this will now change.

From June 1, the free HRT scheme will officially be made available to women. In advance of this scheme going live, take some time to consider the following ways to get yourself informed and prepared.

Connect with your pharmacy

Currently, this is a scheme that pharmacies must opt into. if you have a pharmacy that you visit regularly, link in with them to see if they will be offering this service.

Take the time to ask any questions that you may have about HRT and to get their advice on how to proceed.

Grey areas

As with any new scheme roll-outs, there will be areas that aren’t yet fully clear, as information continues to be ed down the chain. Bear with your pharmacist as they confirm with the government what exactly will be covered, and any other technicalities of the process.

The exact product lists and circumstances that must be considered in order to appropriately avail of this scheme will become much clearer in the coming few days, and once the system is up and running, all inevitable teething issues should get ironed out.

Get your registration in order

We do know you will need to be ed for the Drug Payment Scheme in order to avail of free HRT, if you don’t have a medical card. The paperwork for this isn’t overly complicated, but can be easily put on the long finger.

Get ahead of yourself now, and either apply for a DPS card, or check the eligibility of your current one, as they can expire and require renewal. Full information about the scheme can be found on the HSE website (Drugs Payment Scheme card - HSE.ie). , too, to your whole family while you’re at it – the scheme caps the amount spent on other medicines per family to €80 per month, which can lead to good savings if there are expensive or multiple meds being prescribed.

Arrange your HRT prescription

For some, you may have been already getting HRT monthly and have your prescription to hand. However, for others, this new coverage of HRT will mean you only now can afford to be on it monthly, and will for the first time be embarking on this treatment pathway.

In this case, with your doctor or women’s health clinic will need to be made in order to be reviewed and issued a prescription. Without a prescription, no HRT can be provided, so allow some time for this process also.

Know that it’s not for everybody

Whilw we’re far less fearful of HRT than we were a number of years ago, thanks to the debunking of poor research that led to incorrect beliefs about its risks, that is not to say HRT is absolutely safe and suitable for everybody. There are varying circumstances where HRT (or at least some types of HRT) would not be recommended, which may depend on your health or medication history.

There are also potential side-effects that can present differently from person to person. All of this will be weighed up with your prescriber, so feel free to ask questions around it, to advocate for your needs, and to come to a shared decision as to the best option for you.

The launch of free HRT for women in Ireland is an incredibly exciting step forward for women’s health, and we are leading the way internationally in this regard. Making such important hormonal available for women without cost barriers will lead to improved physical and mental wellbeing, reduced stigma, and a higher quality of life.

While not for everybody, for many, HRT can be absolutely life-changing, but the cost was previously often prohibitive. Thankfully, this will now change.