Introduction of the HRT prescription prepayment certificate

Written by AlisonFreemantle on Friday 24th February 2023

From 1st April 2023

Women in England will be able to access cheaper Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the menopause through a new Hormone Replacement Therapy prescription prepayment certificate (HRT PPC).

From 1st April 2023, women who usually pay for their HRT prescriptions will be able to purchase an annual HRT PPC for the cost of two single prescription charges (currently £18.70). The HRT PPC is valid for 12 months and can be used against any listed HRT prescription item licensed for the treatment of menopause (see list below). The list of eligible HRT medicines will also be published in the April 2023 Drug Tariff.

Once systems are ready, the HRT PPC will be available to purchase through the NHS Business Services Authority website or in person at a pharmacy registered to sell PPCs.

Women in possession of a HRT PPC will continue to pay for other prescribed medicines that are not on the HRT medicines list.

The implementation of the new HRT PPC may cause some initial difficulties unless the HRT prescription items are written on a separate prescription to any other paid prescription items.

The Department of Health and Social Care plan to issue communication materials to support pharmacy teams with the roll-out of HRT PPC before the 1st April.

Read more in the DHSC announcement, including a list of the HRT items in scope for the HRT-only PPC (as of 21 February 2023)

HRT items in scope for the HRT-only PPC (as of 21 February 2023)

Product name

Ingredient

Bedol

(Estradiol 2mg)

Bijuve/Bijuva

(Estradiol 1mg; micronised progesterone 100mg)

Blissel

(Estriol 50mcg)

Climanor

(Medroxyprogesterone 5mg)

Clinorette

(Estradiol 2mg; norethisterone 1mg)

Elleste Duet

(Estradiol 1mg and 2mg; norethisterone 1mg)

Elleste Duet Conti

(Estradiol 2mg; norethisterone 1mg)

Elleste Solo

(Estradiol 1mg and 2 mg)

Estraderm MX

(Estradiol 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg)

Estradot

(Estradiol 25mcg, 37.5mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg)

Estring (90-day preparation)

(Estradiol 7.5mcg/24 hours)

Estriol

(Estriol 0.01%)

Ethinylestradiol 10mcg

(Ethinylestradiol 10mcg)

Evorel

(Estradiol 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg)

Evorel Conti

(Estradiol 50mcg; norethisterone 170mcg)

Evorel Sequi

(Estradiol 50mcg; norethisterone 170mcg)

Femoston

Estradiol 1mg and 2mg; dydrogesterone 10mg)

Femoston Conti

(Estradiol 500mcg and 1mg; dydrogesterone 2.5mg and 5mg)

Femseven

(Estradiol 50mcg, 75mcg)

Femseven Conti

(Estradiol 50mcg; levonorgestrel 7mcg)

FemSeven Sequi

(Estradiol 50mcg; levonorgestrel 10mcg)

Gina

(Estradiol 10mcg)

Imvaggis

(Estriol 30mcg)

Indivina

(Estradiol 1mg and 2mg; medroxyprogesterone 2.5mg and 5mg)

Kliofem

(Estradiol 2mg; norethisterone 1mg)

Kliovance

(Estradiol 1mg; norethisterone 500mcg)

Lenzetto

(Estradiol 1.53mg)

Livial

(Tibolone 2.5mg)

Mirena

(Levonorgestrel 20mcg/24 hours)

Novofem

(Estradiol 1mg; norethisterone 1mg)

Oestrogel/dose

(Estradiol 0.06%)

Ovestin

(Estriol 1mg)

Premarin

(Conjugated oestrogen 300mcg, 625mcg and 1.25mg)

Premique low dose

(Conjugated oestrogen 300mcg; medroxyprogesterone 1.5mg)

Progynova

(Estradiol 1mg and 2mg)

Progynova TS

(Estradiol 50mcg and 100mcg)

Sandrena

(Estradiol 500mcg and 1mg)

Tridestra

(Estradiol 2mg; medroxyprogesterone 20mg)

Trisequens

(Estradiol 2mg/2mg/1mg; norethisterone 1mg)

Utrogestan

(Micronised progesterone 100mg and 200mg)

Vagifem

(Estradiol 10mcg)

Vagirux

(Estradiol 10mcg)

Zumenon

(Estradiol 1mg and 2mg)