Thousands of women in England who have gone through the menopause could receive new jab through the NHS to cut any risk of bone breaks

Thousands of women in England who have gone through the menopause could benefit from a new drug that reduces the risk of bone fractures.

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

A pre-filled pen is used for injections into the skin at home once a day, stimulating the cells that bolster bone growth.

Bone density starts to decline in the lead up to the menopause because of a decrease in the levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen. 

The drug has been recommended for patients with a high risk of fractures with regulator Nice estimating that it could benefit more than 14,000 women who have gone through the menopause.

Regulator Nice estimates Abaloparatide could benefit more than 14,000 women who are post-menopause

Dr Louise Newson, founder of Newson Health clinics, said hormone replacement therapy (HRT) should ‘still be the first line of treatment’ for most women, as a new jab was approved for women that could reduce the risk of bone breaks after the menopause

Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive of Nice, said: ‘The independent committee heard how debilitating osteoporosis impacts all aspects of day-to-day life, such as not going out for a walk because they are fearful of falling and having a fracture.

‘This can impair mental and physical health.

‘Our focus is on enabling access to care that improves quality of life while offering value to taxpayers.’

It is understood abaloparatide will be available to eligible patients on the NHS within three months.

Craig Jones, chief executive at the Royal Osteoporosis Society, said: ‘Considering half of women over 50 will suffer broken bones due to osteoporosis, and the extent of disability these breaks cause, the paucity of new treatments over the last decade and a half has been a huge cause for concern.

‘This will change many thousands of lives for the better.’

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

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