From April, any Boots employee who pays for NHS HRT prescriptions will be able to claim back the cost through the Boots expense portal, the multiple explained today (March 21).

Around 8,600 employees are in scope to access HRT, Boots said, and could benefit from an average £224 annual saving, as the multiple will cover the monthly prescription costs for anyone “able and wanting to take HRT”.

 

Read more: HRT drug Gina 10mcg could become P medicine following MHRA consultation

 

However, “recognising that HRT isn’t for everyone, and management of symptoms can benefit from a holistic approach”, Boots has also introduced a series of initiatives and support packages to assist team members experiencing the menopause.

These include: menopause at work guidance; a menopause network offering confidential advice and support; counselling sessions; discounted support and advice on taking HRT and managing menopausal symptoms via Boots’ online doctor; and an independent, ad-free service offering doctor-led consultations and personalised treatment via the “My Menopause Centre” on the Boots Health Hub.

 

Predominantly female workforce

 

Women make up 80% of Boots’ 51,000-strong workforce, the multiple explained. It estimates around 15% of the 8,600 eligible employees will likely receive HRT in England.

Boots HR director Ben Horner said the multiple is “focused on offering the support that will work best for [those experiencing the menopause] as they navigate this important life transition and other health concerns”.

 

Read more: PSNC: Contractors need ‘assurances’ on impact of HRT prescription changes

 

Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on menopause, said some women’s experience of the menopause “can be unbearable – stressful, debilitating and completely life-changing”.

“Changes such as this in the workplace will support all those experiencing the menopause in all roles and will make such a difference. It’s time all employers took menopause seriously and took action,” she added.

 

HRT support and shortages

 

In October 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care said it would work with NHS England and NHS Improvement to cut the cost of repeatable HRT prescriptions and implement longer prescription cycles for the menopausal symptom treatment.

A prepayment system that promises potential savings of up to £205 by enabling women to pay one charge for a 12-month supply of HRT is expected to be implemented in April 2023, pharmacy minister Maria Caulfield told the Women and Equalities Committee last week (March 16).

Pharmacies have been dealing with significant HRT medicine shortages for a number of years. 

C+D reported that HRT is the category of medicines that is most often in shortage in pharmacies after conducting a survey in September 2019 showing that 84% of pharmacy teams had struggled to source them over a six month-period.