Free HRT

LapsypaCork

Couldn’t find a similar thread anywhere so feel free to move @Mod.

Does anyone know when the free HRT promised in the budget is going to be rolled out? Has anyone here asked or put pressure on their local politicians? According to themenopausehub.ie the primary reason is, altogether the medication will be free, the GP visit to get the prescription won’t be. To be honest, I’m sick of the waiting, as it is, middle aged citizens really get no real benefits and worked through the bad years to raise today’s generation who got free contraceptives within a few weeks of being announced.I’m getting really pi@#ed off how this seems to be totally ignored and feel it’ll all die down. I’ve contacted my local TD recently and wondering if anyone here would do the same? There’s still power numbers ladies.

Caranica

It's not being deliberately held back

https://www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-delays-6627497-Feb2025/

LapsypaCork

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123209328#Comment_123209328

I get all that and have read all the articles but have a suspicion it will be one of these things that’ll drag on, same issues would have occurred with free contraception but resolved quite quickly, and rightly so. I really hope I’m wrong here.

miamee

Spotted this in my local Boots a few weeks ago, they must be inundated with people asking about it

LapsypaCork

Still can’t get why it was rolled out and organised right away for contraception, early 5 months now since announced. Time to get moving ladies and put pressure on local representatives, we get so little back we deserve this at lease.

Caranica

Way more brands and types of contraception. The supply of HRT remains the issue

Daisy78

My understanding is that pharmacists have objected to operating the free scheme until there is an agreement with government with regard to dispensing fees. For every script issued they get a portion of the cost for dispensing the medication. Under this scheme the medication is free to the customer as subsidised by the government but they (pharmacists) would loose out on their costs. What I don’t understand is why they don’t just pass on this cost to the customer, im guessing it’s to do with transparency of costs and commercial sensitivity. It’s frustrating as im sure most women would be happy to pay the gp fee and a relatively low dispensing cost if they were to get the actual medication for free.

miamee

Bit of an update today, to be available from June 1st

https://www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-will-available-for-all-women-from-1-june-as-govt-commits-to-covering-dispensing-costs-6678604-Apr2025/?utm_source=thejournal&utm_content=top-stories

LapsypaCork

looks like the pharmacies may not sign up to the proposal…

miamee

Well this is finally available and I was happy to get my first free prescription on 2nd June. My previous prescription cost about 20 euro so not bad at all but I'm happy to take the freebie, I get feck all else for free 😁

Make sure you apply for your DPS card if you don't have one already. You can do it online here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/drugs-payment-scheme/apply/

LapsypaCork

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123556527#Comment_123556527

Very grateful it was approved unfortunately, the GP visit is not included. Let that be the next thing. Keep this up with your local politicians, us ladies get not much else.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123589926#Comment_123589926

It's not included with free contraception either so don't hold your breath

Pistachio19

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123591608#Comment_123591608

It is free to see the gp for contraception between the ages of 17-35 assuming your gp is signed up to the service.