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[Dana]

I'm not sure if any Aussie ladies here are using Estradot 50mcg, but it's in very short supply at the moment, in fact almost impossible to get. I've been told by two pharmacies it won't be available until about 24 November. I'm in Brisbane, so I can't be sure if this is Australia wide, although I assume it is.

I only had enough on hand for another 2 weeks, but by calling every pharmacy in my area I've been able to get another two boxes. I did have a supply of tablets to fall back on, so I wasn't really panicking, but I prefer the patches.

So if you need them you'd better start calling around now. It only seems to be the 50mcg that's not available, so at a pinch you could get your doctor to write another prescription so you could use 2 x 25mcg or half a 100mg patch.

I often hear ladies in the UK talk about supply problems, but I've never known it to happen here before. It's been a lesson to me. I nearly always have at least a month extra on hand, but for some reason I'd run short. That won't happen again. I wonder if they would allow any other kind of medicine to run so low.

[matildamouse]

Oh no Dana, this is not good news. Thanks for the warning. I am on Estradot 50mcg so will go and get a script now...hopefully!!

[Dana]

Good luck. I hope you are able to get some. Also try some of the online pharmacies. That's how I got a box yesterday. A local Chemmart had an online page that said they had them in stock. I phoned to make sure and they had one box left, so I hot footed it straight there.

[soniad]

Does anybody have any idea what is going on with this in Australia?

There is STILL a shortage, with no ETA on when they will be back!

[Dana]

I was told they would be available around 24th November, but I phoned my local pharmacy and they're still out of stock. She's offered to phone the supplier, but they had her on hold forever, so she didn't really find out anything from them. She left a message so not sure if she'll hear anything back.

The problem is that now all the other dosages are out of stock or very low, so getting the 25s or 100s will also be difficult or impossible. She suggested the best option would be a new prescription for Climara which is a once a week patch because it is still in fairly good supply. Estraderm is also getting very short because I suppose it's similar to Estradot. 

I've still got enough for 8 weeks, but if it goes on for another month I will have to get a new prescription or temporarily go back to Premarin, because I've got a few boxes of that stashed away. I was going to get rid of them a while back, but something made me decide to keep them. I really don't understand how something like this is allowed to happen. I bet it wouldn't be allowed to happen to any other type of medication.

[Dana]

PS - Maybe try contacting Novartis directly. Here are their contact details. Perhaps give them a call or email them. Time to go directly to the source.

https://www.novartis.com.au/about-us/contact-us

[soniad]

Thanks Dana.

I have some hundreds that will last me about 2 months.

If something doesn't happen soon. I'll order them online directly from goldpharma.

It will be expensive but I'm not willing to change brands when I'm just settling into my dosage.

[matildamouse]

Yip ladies also experience the same problem here. Started with the 50mcg patches, now it is all of them. Fortunuately I have extra stock but worried for the future...

[cubagirl]

Same problem across whole of Estradot range in the UK. GP had to give me Evorel as alternative.

[Dana]

It must be a world-wide thing then. I've tried googling for more information, but nothing much comes up except for a trans-gender site, but they mostly seem to be talking about estrogen injections being hard to get, and I think it was mostly America. It's just not good enough. Why is it always women who have to be anxious about their hrt?

I've just realised I also have an unopened box of Estalis (combi patches) that I can use up. I wasn't that keen on using them long-term, because of the norethisterone, but a month was okay when I used them before. So I've now got about 12 weeks of patches on hand before I have to either change brands or go back to Premarin. And who knows, maybe the Estalis might work better this time and I can have a conti routine in future (always looking for the potential silver lining ). I'm really glad I've managed to have quite a stash of hrt squirreled away, but once all this get sorted out I'll have to work on building up my stash again. ..lol... Using this a learning experience - try to have at least a few month's supply up your sleeve.

[matildamouse]

Agree Dana, very annoying!!

[Hurdity]

No problem here in SW England - got a 3 month refill last week! (Estradot 50)

Hurdity x

[Tempest]

Just managed to secure my 50's up here in Scotland. Fingers crossed this doesn't become more of a serious supply problem for all of us! I personally couldn't bear another HRT change right now!

[soniad]

Yeah I don't want to swap brands.

I just got myself another pack of 100mcg so I'm okay the next 3 months.

I wish they would get their act together!

[matildamouse]

Agree Sonia! Was just told by a pharmacist they looking at only getting new stock mid 2017!!!