Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Goosieloosie on April 26, 2017, 07:16:04 PM
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Does anyone have any news or know what the current situation with the Estradot supply is?? I haven't been on here for a while but I have had a quick look and see that there seem to be issues once again with the supply? I was due to collect my 3 monthly prescription from our local Boots at the weekend but they have informed me they're having trouble trying to get hold of Esradot but they'll keep trying everyday, the lady I spoke to actually told me they have been trying to get Estradot for another lady for a few weeks and at the finish she had to go back to her GP and get her prescription changed. I don't really want to do this if possible, I've had other patches before and apart from disliking the larger size I actually had a skin rash with one. Boots did manage to give me one box for one months supply (presumably they received them after the other lady changed her script ;) ) . Not really sure what to do if I can't get hold of them? Bit of a ridiculous issue these Estradot patches, why aren't they making more if they know there is demand??
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Get your pharmacy to contact the supplier direct by telephone. They will only issue 1 box per month while there is a supply problem. If boots can't get them go to a smaller pharmacy they are getting better results from the company hope this helps. X
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Our Boots was always a problem!
I had more luck in independent chemists...although those are less of those around, Boots seem to have taken over here!
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Hi Donna this is what I was told months ago when I sent an email to Novartis that Boots could ring Novartis directly and I've tried explaining this to them this time but the trouble is it is such a big Boots that no one seems to listen or know what the other one is doing, every single time I have gone to that branch they have different staff, I don't think I will use them anymore, like you say though Tinkerbell Boots seem to have just about taken over!!
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Hi
I actually found a Gov website here in Oz that lists all medicines if they are in supply difficulty. All the estra patches are on the list with a date up until the end of June. I don't know if that's when they hoped to have it resolved by, let's hope so!
Apparently it's a manufacturing problem, maybe something to do with the production of the estrodil? I've had to swap to another brand of patch with estrodil but with a progesterone tablet and I'm not liking it so far!
Funny I was just Googling for info and then saw your post!
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When I spoke to Novartis I was told it was a distribution problem rather than a manufacturing problem - not really sure what that means, apart from only being able to get pharmacy to order one box at a time ::)
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Me too - so I've swapped to Evorel and so far, so good.
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Just had a look at what's available in Oz but Evorel isn't on the list :(
The only other choice for combination is a tablet and there are more options there. I just prefer a patch.
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Hi
I actually found a Gov website here in Oz that lists all medicines if they are in supply difficulty. All the estra patches are on the list with a date up until the end of June. I don't know if that's when they hoped to have it resolved by, let's hope so!
Apparently it's a manufacturing problem, maybe something to do with the production of the estrodil? I've had to swap to another brand of patch with estrodil but with a progesterone tablet and I'm not liking it so far!
Funny I was just Googling for info and then saw your post!
I was told by Novartis in Australia that they are expecting supply to be better mid 2017 so hopefully that is still correct.
Just had a look at what's available in Oz but Evorel isn't on the list :(
The only other choice for combination is a tablet and there are more options there. I just prefer a patch.
If you want an estrogen only patch you also have the option of Estraderm (twice weekly) or Climara (once a week - but I didn't like that one). http://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/426-ams-guide-to-equivalent-hrt-doses
You are able to get Estradot in Australia, but it comes and goes. Chemist Warehouse had a supply a couple of weeks ago. The best thing you can do is put your name on their waiting lists, then they will contact you when their orders come in. I've managed to get about 5 months supply doing that.
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I was given Climera and a progesterone pill but I'm not liking it even though it's the same type in the patch. Seems we don't have as many options here as in the UK. I thought I might ask at the chemist how they are doing with supplies before going back to the docs and maybe asking for another script. Fingers crossed as mid year isn't too far away now!
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Well hopefully today I have made progress, I called into my local Boots branch again & as they didn't seem busy I mentioned again about them ringing the manufacturer 'Novartis'.... after waiting a few minutes she comes back and gives me some story about how the 'supplier' is having problems & they're supplying to 'urgent care' as priority???? Really?? :-* Anyway I said "did you ring Novartis the manufacturer though as I have an email saying to contact them directly?" No she hadn't rang them but I insisted she did and hopefully we've got a result.... Novartis said they should be at my Boots by Tuesday!! I'll keep you informed ;)