News | Women's health

News

Pharmacists given discretion to dispense urgent items on mixed prescriptions in ‘confusing’ HRT prepayment certificate guidance

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee says it is “totally unacceptable” to expect stretched community pharmacies to deal with the government's rules over mixed prescriptions and the new HRT prepayment certificate.…

Published: 27 March 2023

News

Progestogen-only pill found to have similar risk of breast cancer to combined hormonal contraception

Researchers found that women with any hormonal contraception prescription had a 25% increased risk of breast cancer compared with women with no hormonal contraception prescriptions.…

Published: 22 March 2023

Feature

Testosterone for menopause: why women face difficulties accessing treatment

GPs and specialist menopause clinics are overwhelmed with demand for testosterone to treat low libido in post-menopausal women; however, there are still no products licensed for women in the UK, leaving them to 'guesstimate' doses using male formulations or being forced to pay privately.…

Published: 16 March 2023

News

Hormone replacement therapy pre-payment scheme is too ‘complex’, say pharmacy leaders

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said the new system is "complex" and will not work well with current prescription and pricing systems, creating more work for pharmacy contractors.…

Published: 23 February 2023

Opinion

How COVID-19 affected pharmacy supply of antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections

Learnings from a community pharmacy patient group direction service for the management of suspected urinary tract infections, which identified prescribing patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.…

Published: 20 February 2023

News

NHS testosterone prescribing in women rises ten-fold in seven years

Exclusive: Experts are concerned testosterone is being used inappropriately in younger women and is seen as “as a solution to their relationship problems”.…

Published: 17 February 2023

Feature

Why is the UK struggling to contain its sodium valproate problem?

There has been some progress in managing the risks of sodium valproate, but babies are still being born after exposure to the drug, and safety concerns over antiepileptic use in men and women are multiplying.…

Published: 10 February 2023

News

HRT prepayment certificate to cover all HRT items licensed to treat the menopause

Exclusive: Anyone will be able to apply for the HRT prepayment certificate, which will be available from April 2023.…

Published: 31 January 2023

News

UK government rejects proposals for a national formulary for HRT

Other rejected recommendations include the introduction of a menopause leave policy as well as making menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.…

Published: 25 January 2023

News

Families affected by sodium valproate should receive compensation, say MPs

In a report reviewing the government's response to those harmed by medicines and medical devices, the House of Commons health and social care committee said that families "need support, and have waited too long".…

Published: 20 January 2023