The government has announced that Madeline McTernan CB has been appointed as head of the newly formed HRT taskforce to address issues in the supply chain.
Bringing key learnings from the success of the Vaccine Taskforce, the Government said Madeline McTernan will prioritise HRT over the coming weeks, working closely with suppliers to understand constraints and develop plans for what can be done to ensure both short and long term supply meet rising demand.
Commenting on the news, Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
“We welcome the appointment of Madelaine McTernan CB as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tsar.
“We are concerned the ongoing shortages are incredibly distressing for those affected. Society has made real progress in the past couple of years in tackling the taboos and stigma that surround menopause. It’s unacceptable that women are facing barriers to accessing HRT and we are pleased to see the tsar’s role focused on ensuring the UK has a long term plan for the sustainable supple of HRT.
“We strongly encourage women who have been affected by these shortages to speak to a healthcare professional, as there are alternatives are available. There is no one size fits all when it comes to the menopause, and if an exact match is not available, healthcare professionals will be able to advise other treatment options.”
ENDS
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Notes to Editor
- To find out more about the new appointment, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vaccine-taskforce-director-general-will-harness-lessons-from-pandemic-to-address-hrt-supply-chain-issues
- The BMS is producing up to date alerts on alternative HRT preparations to provide guidance to clinical practitioners who may be experiencing difficulties obtaining certain HRT: https://thebms.org.uk/news/british-menopause-society-update-on-hrt-supply/