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[da66]

I have written to my MP about this! Feel free to cut and paste / amend my letter:

Dear Joanna

Can you help apply pressure to pharmaceutical companies that make HRT to resolve the issue of shortages as a matter of some urgency? I, like many of your constituents I am sure, am on HRT which provides a massive quality of life improvement for me. This is not just about reducing hot flushes. I have a wide range of symptoms, the most debilitating of which is severe joint pain which means I am unable to walk for more than 10 minutes when it is not being controlled by my HRT patches - I use Evorel 50 made by Janssen. Janssen are currently projecting that they will run out of this product in early November. https://thebms.org.uk/2019/08/british-menopause-society-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages/?fbclid=IwAR0eaFmW3QY5HF6EThupDjO-9PNBa-6H4eTV5AWygQ5soxUzuNIVKAanRPo Some women that I know are already unable to get their prescriptions of other preparations fulfilled. 

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/hrt-shortage-menopausal-women-hormone-replacement-therapy-menopause-a9052726.htmlhttp:// today commented that because the information about shortages is commercially sensitive 'nobody will be honest with the public and the NHS'. 

It is not as simple as swapping one product for another, as has been suggested  - it took many months for me to be referred to a specialist menopause clinic and find the correct drug regime after some trial and error. We need to understand what exactly these shortages are being caused by and what is being done to resolve the situation. 

I am happy to discuss this with you further and would appreciate your urgent attention to this matter.

[Katejo]

I get one box of 8 at a time and replace patch every 3 days, so can't see how I will ever get ahead on having any back up either x

1 box of 8 won't last long at all. My last prescription was for 24  (ie 12 weeks as I apply 2 a week).  I only got 16 due to the supply problem.   I tried asking my GP to make an exception and advance me the next one because of the shortages (to try an online pharmacy which has stock). They did do one but only for enough to complete the previous prescription.

You must have to request a new prescription every 2 weeks.

[pants46]

da66, nice letter.  I hope lots of ladies follow your example.

[sparklyweirdo]

I am surprised that my HRT isnt on the list cos I have had issues trying to get my prescription filled. My HRT is Indivina 2mg/5mg. My chemist told me that due to the shortages of other HRTs, the docs had been prescribing my HRT in replacement and it caused a shortage and that the wholesale supplier wont get any more in until hopefully start of Sept. I have just enough to last me until end of Sept!

So the shortages isnt just patches and that they are not telling the whole story about this!

[Katejo]

I use cut down Evorel Conti patches (as agreed with GP) and am very concerned about the current HRT shortage.
If Evorel Conti does become difficult to get, what other conti patch could I use?

I suppose what I'm asking is are there any patches or indeed any products aimed at the er older post menopausal woman?
I don't use a lot of HRT but would really miss the little I use if it were no longer available.

I asked the meno consultant this in July and he immediately said Femseven Conti upon which I told him that it wasn't available either. He replied that I knew more than he did!
I might have to go back to half patches (as were originally prescribed to me as a low dose) just to avoid running out. However they didn't have much effect on me.

[bear]

Apparently it was a domino effect caused by Theramex sudden removing FemSeven Conti and Sequi from market without previous warning. If they are really coming back next Spring, things must return to normal. Hope you all can get hold of alternatives until then.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7349605/Why-supplies-HRT-drugs-running-low.html

BeaR.

[bear]

Another link https://en.brinkwire.com/health/why-supplies-of-hrt-drugs-are-running-low/

BeaR.

[Rosebush]

Re Everol Conti 50, Boots Pharmacy have no stock, 3 of my local Pharmacies have no stock, all stated "they have them on order with suppliers" but no delivery dates yet !!

My head is so foggy trying to work out alternatives, looks like tabs or gel, but what type/brand??  will check out info on here too see if things become any clearer. xx

[Katejo]

Re Everol Conti 50, Boots Pharmacy have no stock, 3 of my local Pharmacies have no stock, all stated "they have them on order with suppliers" but no delivery dates yet !!

My head is so foggy trying to work out alternatives, looks like tabs or gel, but what type/brand??  will check out info on here too see if things become any clearer. xx

Have you seen my other email about supplies today? The Independent Pharmacy has replied to say that they do have stock of Evorel Conti.

[Rosebush]

Thanks Kate I am now making phones calls..emails etc..xx

[vickypk]

Hi Rosebush.
It's easy to order evorel conti from the independent pharmacy on line. Just feel in a questionnaire, it's a big expensive but at least you will have the patches. Hopefully it will all be okay soon and back to normal for all of us.
Vicky x

[Katejo]

Hi Rosebush.
It's easy to order evorel conti from the independent pharmacy on line. Just feel in a questionnaire, it's a big expensive but at least you will have the patches. Hopefully it will all be okay soon and back to normal for all of us.
Vicky x

vicky  You don't pay those high charges if you have an NHS prescription. It is just the usual prescription charge or nothing if you have exemption. Also no need to complete the questionnaire.

[vickypk]

Hi Katejo
Thanks. Thats right I know they do take prescriptions. I just meant if you wanted a few extra supplies and you didn't have a prescription it would be nice to have some extra in stock. The price is high without a prescription too. It took a few weeks for my pharmacist to get my evorel contii recently, so just nice to not have to worry about it all.
X

[Katejo]

Hi Katejo
Thanks. Thats right I know they do take prescriptions. I just meant if you wanted a few extra supplies and you didn't have a prescription it would be nice to have some extra in stock. The price is high without a prescription too. It took a few weeks for my pharmacist to get my evorel contii recently, so just nice to not have to worry about it all.
X

  They told me to send my prescription to a Freepost address but I am cautious in case it goes missing. Will at least make a photocopy of the prescription first.

[vickypk]

Hi Katejo. My pharmacist got my patches for me. I'd let your pharmacist organise getting them for you. X