Javid to appoint an HRT tsar to fight shortage of medicine that helps ease menopause symptoms – Daily Mail
Sajid Javid is to appoint an HRT tsar with orders to solve a shortage of hormone replacement medicine that has left thousands of menopausal women desperate for help.
It comes as the Government is accused of showing a ‘total disregard’ for sufferers’ health.
The Health Secretary said he was determined to improve the situation, which has seen women run out of HRT with no idea of when supplies will…….
Sajid Javid is to appoint an HRT tsar with orders to solve a shortage of hormone replacement medicine that has left thousands of menopausal women desperate for help.
It comes as the Government is accused of showing a ‘total disregard’ for sufferers’ health.
The Health Secretary said he was determined to improve the situation, which has seen women run out of HRT with no idea of when supplies will resume.
The Health Secretary said he was determined to improve the situation, which has seen women run out of HRT with no idea of when supplies will resume
Last night he pledged to model the role on that of Kate Bingham, who chaired the UK’s highly successful Covid vaccine taskforce.
Hormone replacement therapy helps to alleviate the debilitating symptoms of the menopause, including disturbed sleep, hot flushes, anxiety and joint pain.
If treatment is stopped suddenly the health problems return, affecting women’s wellbeing, relationships and jobs. But there has been an acute shortage for weeks, said to be due to global supply issues and high demand.
Mr Javid’s move follows deepening concern from MPs and campaigners that women are being left to suffer because Ministers are failing to take the issue seriously enough. It comes as:
- Local NHS authorities are accused of worsening the situation by only offering a few HRT treatments;
- Women are being forced to ask friends on holiday abroad to act as ‘HRT mules’ to fly back with supplies;
- They are rationing their HRT, with Tory MP Caroline Nokes – who is affected – calling the situation ‘chaos’;
- A Minister admitted it will be June before supplies of certain HRT brands are back to normal;
- Trans women – those born male – are getting HRT to help feminise their bodies, although experts believe not enough of them receive it to impact overall supply;
Mr Javid told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I know just how much women rely on HRT and that some have been struggling to get certain medicines. I’m determined to do all I can to make sure that supplies are meeting hugely rising demand and there is equitable access.
‘Davina effect’ smashed the menopause taboo
HRT is in short supply thanks to increased demand in the past year driven by celebrity campaigns, political action and greater media coverage of the menopause, pharma firms say.
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