Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Why does this society tolerate an extreme shortage of an essential medicine for women? That is precisely what has been happening with the scarcity of hormone replacement therapy, HRT, patches. Would the same toleration be shown if, for example, the medicine in extreme short supply was Viagra? The hot flushes, joint pain, anxiety, insomnia, pain and discomfort caused by menopause has, when untreated, caused women to give up their jobs and make other unnecessary sacrifices. Why are only 10% of women in Ireland prescribed HRT? Yes, there was a cancer scare but it was a false one and it was 20 years ago. Menopause is barely studied at medical school. This needs to change. Menopause affects all women from their 40s on and some much younger. It needs to be taught. While we are at it, what training are doctors and medical professionals being given to combat gender bias in medicine? A recent worldwide study on women's pain not being taken as seriously as men's makes for sober reading. Last but not least, HRT, as an essential medicine, needs to be free of charge. That is the case in Scotland and Wales. It needs to be the case here too.

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