'Two-tier system’ menopause care leaving cancer survivors without support, says TD
Kenneth Fox
Cancer survivors are being left behind when it comes to menopause treatment, according to Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan.
Moynihan raised the lack of access to non-hormonal menopause treatments on the floor of the Dáil with the Tánaiste, calling on the Government to urgently address a significant gap in menopause care and warning that cancer survivors are among those being left without adequate State support.
The TD is continuing his campaign for the inclusion of Veoza, a nonâhormonal treatment for moderate to severe menopause symptoms, in the Drugs Payment Scheme and in a State support scheme beyond the existing HRT scheme.
He said the current system fails women who are medically unable to take hormone replacement therapy HRT, including many breast cancer survivors and others with oestrogen-sensitive conditions.
“Cancer survivors are being left behind by the current menopause care system,
"These are women who cannot take HRT for medical reasons, yet they are being shut out of state-funded treatment options and left to carry the cost on their own.”
While welcoming the introduction of the free HRT scheme, Moynihan said it has created an unintended inequality.
“In practice, we now have a two-tier system,
“Women who can access HRT are supported by the State, but those who cannot, many of them cancer survivors, are left with limited options and substantial out-of-pocket expenses.”
Veoza offers an important alternative for women contraindicated from hormonal treatments, but it is not currently covered under existing reimbursement schemes.
“At a minimum, Veoza should be included in the Drugs Payment Scheme, and the free HRT scheme should be reformed and expanded beyond HRT to include other treatments, ensuring a fair and inclusive system for all women.”
He concluded by stressing the need for equity in women’s healthcare:
“No woman should be excluded from menopause care because of her medical history. We need a system that works for all women.”
The Health Service Executive confirmed this week that the non-hormonal menopause treatment Fezolinetant, which offers an alternative for women who cannot take HRT, remains under active consideration for inclusion on the Drugs Payment Scheme, with a final decision pending the outcome of ongoing pricing and cost-effectiveness discussions.
