Thousands of menopausal women in England could be offered a new jab on the NHS to reduce the risk of bone fractures

Thousands of menopausal women in England could benefit from a new drug that reduces the risk of bone fractures.

Abaloparatide, sold as Eladynos and manufactured by Theramex, has been given the green light for use in the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

A pre-filled pen is used to administer injections into the skin once a day at home. This stimulates the cells that promote bone growth.

Bone density decreases in the run-up to menopause, due to a drop in the female sex hormone estrogen.

The drug is recommended for patients at high risk of fractures. Nice estimates that the drug could be useful for more than 14,000 women going through menopause.

The drug Abaloparatide is recommended for patients at high risk of fractures (file image)

Regulator Nice estimates that Abaloparatide could benefit more than 14,000 postmenopausal women

Dr Louise Newson, founder of Newson Health Clinics, said hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should ‘still be the first-line treatment’ for most women after a new jab has been approved for women that could reduce the risk of bone fractures after the menopause.

Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive of Nice, said: ‘The independent commission heard how debilitating osteoporosis affects all aspects of daily life, such as being unable to walk for fear of falling and breaking a bone.

This can harm mental and physical health.

“We are focused on enabling access to care that improves quality of life while providing value to taxpayers.”

Abaloparatide is expected to be available to eligible patients via the NHS within three months.

Craig Jones, chief executive of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: ‘Given that half of women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis and the level of disability these fractures cause, the lack of new treatments over the past 15 years is a major cause for concern.

“This will change the lives of thousands of people for the better.”

Dr Louise Newson, founder of Newson Health Clinics, said hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should ‘still be the first-line treatment’ for most women.

She added: ‘In addition to strengthening bones, HRT also reduces the risk of other chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, clinical depression and dementia.’