Record 13 Million HRT Prescriptions Issued in England

In the fiscal year 2023/2024, England saw a record 2.6 million women prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT), marking a 12% increase from the previous year and doubling the figures from 2018/2019. The NHS reported that 13 million HRT items were dispensed, a 22% rise from 2022/2023, driven by growing awareness from public figures about menopause. The introduction of the HRT Prescription Prepayment Certificate in April 2023 has also contributed to increased access, with 21% of prescriptions utilizing this scheme by June 2024. Despite the overall increase, disparities remain, as women in the wealthiest areas received over twice as many prescriptions as those in the most deprived regions. Patients aged 50 to 54 represented nearly a quarter of all HRT prescriptions, with the most commonly prescribed item being 100mg Utrogestan, which saw a 42% increase in use. Experts note that while HRT can alleviate menopausal symptoms, it may carry a slight risk of breast cancer.