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[Jenna]

Only in some pharmacies to start with though:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11185977/First-counter-HRT-goes-sale-Boots-sells-pack-24-vaginal-tablets-30.html

[Ayesha]

I tried to delete my thread on the same subject, but it didn't work!

Yes, very expensive if needed every day! £30 for 24 pessaries 

[Taz2]

It's a shame it's only for post menopausal women though. My VA started while I was still having periods.

[Minusminnie]

Umm....How long before GPs start looking at their budgets and are still willing to prescribe when Gina is over the counter ?

[Dierdre]

My thoughts too. I was told at my recent review that Cetraben can be bought OTC and shouldn't really be on my repeat. I use it for washing instead of soap. I told them I get it free on prescription as a pensioner so why should I pay, I've contributed to my NI stamps all my life and its now my turn to benefit.

[Ayesha]

I don’t mind paying for my own toiletries and I really don’t think they should be available on prescription. It’s obvious that the NHS can no longer afford and provide us with everything we want, I think attitudes need to change!

What is important is that we can get medicines that are vital to us and to still be able to get them on prescription, but I can see the day when we are told, VA treatment can be bought over the counter!

[Taz2]

But what about those in peri-menopause?

Taz x

[Whatsupwiththis]

We in Canada pay over $100 for 18.  If you need them everyday, cost is $199.70 per month.  I only hope we can eventually buy OTC.  Men can buy Viagra and testosterone without a prescription.  Makes me livid!  If we could buy OTC, it would be much less expensive.  Could be worse, tho.  In the US, where several states have those extreme anti abortion b.s., it may effect women who need Vagifem and Estrace as it is considered "feminine contraception🤯.

[Lynne888]

I tried to delete my thread on the same subject, but it didn't work!

Yes, very expensive if needed every day! £30 for 24 pessaries 

It IS expensive, but I paid more than that from a private doctor.. as I can't get it in South Wales I'd happily pay it tbh. Someone is selling them 5 for £4.95 on eBay.. I've bought from there in the past too but dates were awful and you don't know who's had them so I'd rather get from a pharmacy. Not that I feel ANY of us should have to pay for them!

[Dierdre]

I don’t mind paying for my own toiletries and I really don’t think they should be available on prescription. It’s obvious that the NHS can no longer afford and provide us with everything we want, I think attitudes need to change!

What is important is that we can get medicines that are vital to us and to still be able to get them on prescription, but I can see the day when we are told, VA treatment can be bought over the counter!

I think you misunderstood, Cetraben is a cream for eczema and dermatitis and is part of my medication not a toiletry, I don't think any doctor would prescribed toiletries.
Also changing attitudes isn't going to help people who can no longer afford to pay for their medication, even though they have worked hard all their lives and paid into the system. That was the whole point of the National Health Service, to benefit those who contributed.   I think a lot of women will struggle paying £30 every 3 weeks for local estrogen and this could be a possibility with all HRT in the future.

It's interesting that Gina and Vagifem are both manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Why do they need a new name and packaging for the same product to be sold OTC?

Gina 10mcg £29.99 OTC
Vagifem 10mcg £16.92 price stated in hrt prep in menu, I assume this is the cost to the NHS.
Can anyone remember how much the old Vagifem 25mcg cost,  most managed on 2 or 3 tablets per week then.

[Minusminnie]

It's interesting that Gina and Vagifem are both manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Why do they need a new name and packaging for the same product to be sold OTC?

So an accountant can distinguish which sales are which easily ?  Good that they have changed the PIL though.