Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could become available over the counter – pending the results of a public consultation.

Women would be able to access menopause treatment at a pharmacy “without requiring a prescription for the first time”, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.

Millions of women in the UK go through the menopause each year, with the majority experiencing “symptoms that can be severe and have a negative impact on everyday life”, it added.

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It is proposing that a “self-care” product – Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets, containing estradiol – be made available.

They treat vaginal dryness, caused by oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women, the regulator said.

The tablets will potentially be made available to women aged 50 and over who have not had a period for at least a year.

The Commission on Human Medicines has advised that it is safe for them to be sold over the counter.

The MHRA is asking GPs, pharmacists and members of the public for their opinions on whether that should be the case.

If the reclassification goes ahead, pharmacists will be given training materials and a checklist to help them supply the medicine safely.

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Dr Laura Squire, from the MHRA, said: “The menopause can cause unpleasant symptoms and HRT-based medications form an important part of alleviating them. This is why it’s so important for us to hear what women think about this possible reclassification.”

Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said: “As a woman and a nurse, I know how challenging the symptoms of the menopause can be.

“This consultation is another step forward to ensure women’s voices are being heard loud and clear on how they want to access HRT to reduce the impact of the menopause on their lives.”

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