Government and NHS urged to work with pharmacies on menopause support

The government and NHS England should work with pharmacies to show how the sector can help women experiencing menopause symptoms, according to a joint statement released by several pharmacy bodies.

A consensus statement endorsed by the Royal College of Pharmacy warned there remains significant unmet need for clear, evidence-based guidance and advice on the condition.

The statement, ‘Menopause, unmissed’, published on 24 April 2026, was endorsed by bodies including the Royal College of Pharmacy, the Company Chemists’ Association and the National Pharmacy Association.

Amandeep Doll, director for England at the Royal College of Pharmacy, said: “Pharmacy teams are highly accessible and already support people experiencing menopause with advice, self-care and signposting to other services.

“We endorsed this statement because improving access to clear information and joined-up care is essential, particularly for those facing inequalities.”

According to the NHS, around 75 per cent of women experience some symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, while 25 per cent report that their symptoms are severe.

In the joint statement, the pharmacy bodies welcomed increased awareness of menopause in recent years but warned this had also led to a sea of misinformation and that there remains significant unmet need, particularly for clear, evidence-based and accessible information and guidance.

The document set out eight recommendations to improve menopause care, including a public awareness campaign on menopause symptoms and opportunities for self-care, alongside guidance on how pharmacies can support women with menopause.

It also recommended that integrated care boards and women’s health hubs should report progress on implementing the upcoming equity framework in menopause care.

In its renewed women’s health strategy for England, published on 15 April 2026, the Department of Health and Social Care set out plans to publish an equity good practice guide to help integrated care boards better understand and reduce inequalities in heavy periods and menopause.

The joint statement asked that the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England work with champions in minority communities to ensure menopause materials reflect a diverse range of experiences.

It added that women living in areas of high deprivation and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities can experience menopause differently and are more likely to face health inequalities in their care.

Doll said: “With the right support, training and commissioning, community pharmacy can play a greater role in delivering timely, convenient menopause care closer to home, working as part of neighbourhood health teams and in partnership with women’s health hubs.”