Shortages of two HRT patch brands leave UK women seeking alternatives
Women in the UK face shortages of two brands of HRT patches, BBC News and The Guardian reported this week. One brand, FemSeven Conti, is out of stock until late November, The Guardian reported. Experts say women should not share HRT and should ask a pharmacist or doctor about other patches.
Women in the UK are again facing shortages of some hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patches, BBC News and The Guardian reported this week. The two brands affected are Estradot and FemSeven Conti, the outlets reported.
FemSeven Conti patches are out of stock and expected to stay that way until late November, according to a government supply notice issued this week, The Guardian reported. Northern Ireland's Department of Health said it was aware of "supply disruptions," including ongoing issues with Estradot and a more recent disruption affecting FemSeven Conti, BBC News reported. Shortage rules for Estradot that let pharmacists swap in other patches without a new prescription are in place until January 8, 2027, the department said, according to BBC News. The Guardian reported that the Estradot shortage is not expected to end until January.
Sehar Shahid, a board member of the National Pharmacy Association, said the Estradot shortage is "the second longest running individual medicine shortage in the UK," The Guardian reported. "Certain HRT products are specialised and cannot always be easily substituted for an alternative," she said.
Some women who had to switch brands reported side effects such as itchy skin or patches falling off, Roisin Hillman, co-founder of the charity Menopause Together, said, according to BBC News. "This is an issue going on for years," she said. Belfast pharmacist Paul Irvine urged worried women to speak to their GP or local chemist about alternatives, BBC News reported.
Paula Briggs, a former chair of the British Menopause Society, said keeping the same dose of estradiol is what matters. "If we're using the same dose of oestrogen delivered in a similar patch through the skin, really there is no need to worry," she said, according to The Guardian. Hillman warned women not to share HRT with others, BBC News reported, and pharmacist Sobia Qasim cautioned against cutting patches or borrowing treatments, The Guardian reported.
Briggs said more shortages are likely "because year on year we're seeing a more than 10% increase in use," The Guardian reported.
What we know: Estradot and FemSeven Conti HRT patches are in short supply in the UK, with alternatives available through pharmacists.
What we don't: Why supplies are disrupted, and whether the shortages will end on schedule.
Where outlets agree BBC News and The Guardian both report that UK women face shortages of Estradot and FemSeven Conti HRT patches.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.