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The government and NHS England should work with pharmacies to showcase how the sector can help women experiencing symptoms of menopause, according to a joint statement released by several pharmacy bodies.
The statement — ‘Menopause, unmissed‘, published on 24 April 2026, and endorsed by pharmacy bodies including the Royal College of Pharmacy, Company Chemists’ Association and National Pharmacy Association — noted a need for “urgent government action to transform menopause care in England”.
According to the NHS, “around 75%” of women experience some symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, with 25% of women reporting that their symptoms are severe.
In their joint statement, the pharmacy bodies welcomed the increased awareness of menopause over recent years but warned that “it has also led to a sea of misinformation and there remains significant unmet need, particularly in the form of clear, evidence-based and accessible information and guidance”.
The document has outlined eight recommendations to improve menopause care, including a public awareness campaign on menopause symptoms and opportunities for self-care, alongside guidance on how pharmacies can support women with menopause.
It also recommended a requirement for integrated care boards (ICBs) and women’s health hubs to report progress on implementing the upcoming equity framework in menopause care.
In its ‘Renewed women’s health strategy for England‘, published on 15 April 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) set out plans to publish an equity good practice guide, “to enable ICBs to better understand and reduce inequalities in heavy periods and menopause”.
The joint statement asked that the DHSC and NHS England work with champions in minority communities, to ensure that menopause materials are representative of the diverse range of experiences.
“Women living in areas of high deprivation and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities can experience menopause differently” and are more likely to experience health inequalities around their care, it added.
Commenting on the statement, Amandeep Doll, director for England at the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “Pharmacy teams are highly accessible and already support people experiencing menopause with advice, self-care and signposting to other services. We endorsed this statement because improving access to clear information and joined-up care is essential, particularly for those facing inequalities.
“With the right support, training and commissioning, community pharmacy can play a greater role in delivering timely, convenient menopause care closer to home, working as part of neighbourhood health teams and in partnership with women’s health hubs.”
