Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)

This week, I attended the Irish Cancer Society pre-budget launch. As always, I had the privilege of speaking to cancer survivors and listening to their lived experiences. One issue that was raised with me, not for the first time, was the lack of adequate supports for women who have had breast cancer and are now facing menopause. For many of these women, menopause is not just a natural transition; it is a really difficult side effect of a life-saving treatment. Hormone replacement therapy, HRT, is often not an option due to the hormone-sensitive nature of their cancer. Ireland has made real progress in recent years with the roll-out of menopause clinics and the availability of free HRT, but for women who cannot use HRT the options remain far too limited. This gap in care must be addressed.

That is why I want to highlight Veoza, a non-hormonal medication that targets neurokinin 3 receptors in the brain to manage moderate to severe menopause symptoms. It became available in Ireland in late 2023 and is under review for inclusion in the drugs payment scheme. That was confirmed in a reply to a parliamentary question in March 2025. As of July 2025, it is only available privately at a cost of approximately €70 per month. For women who have survived breast cancer and cannot take HRT, Veoza would be life-changing but right now, cost is a real barrier for people. It is vital that we make Veoza accessible and affordable. We need to make sure no one is left behind when it comes to menopause care.