British Menopause Society update on HRT supply - 30 March 2022

The British Menopause Society has issued an update on HRT supply to provide guidance to BMS members and clinical practitioners on the current availability of HRT products.
Go to The BMS page

Further update on HRT supply shortages - 27 January 2020

There continues to be availability issues with many HRT products related to manufacturing shortages or supply issues. The BMS has been informed that these are temporary shortages, which pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers are addressing.
See the stock availability pdf here

Further update on HRT supply shortages - 23 September 2019

The British Menopause Society has produced this further update on the current availability of HRT products in response to the ongoing HRT shortages. The objective of this is to provide guidance to BMS members and clinical practitioners who may be experiencing difficulties with HRT supplies.

There continues to be availability issues with many HRT products, either related to manufacturing shortages or supply issues. The BMS has been informed that these are temporary shortages which pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers are addressing. The BMS has been in discussion with the manufacturers as well as the RCOG, FSRH and the Medicine Supply Team at the Department of Health and Social Care to explore this ongoing issue and to provide up to date information on HRT product availability.

In the meantime, prescribers can continue to consider equivalent preparations that provide a similar dose to that which their patient is using. If an exact match is not possible, prescribers can seek guidance available on our interactive chart to clarify equivalent doses.

Consideration could also be given to prescribing estrogen and progestogen separately to make the closest match or find a suitable alternative.

Different brands for the same medication may vary in appearance or excipients. However, they would provide equivalent amounts of hormones when used in similar doses.

BMS members can post prescribing queries on the BMS forum if any clarifications are required.

The information on stock availability and supplies was obtained from the pharmaceutical companies producing these products and can be seen in full on The BMS website article.

HRT supply issues - 30 May 2019

There are currently (30 May 2019) supply issues with some HRT products but we are reassured that some issues are temporary.

Meanwhile, equivalent types can be found by looking at the oestrogen and progestogen component and matching it as closely as possible to another brand.

An example is Kliofem instead of Elleste Duet Conti. In some instances an exact match is not possible and our interactive chart will help to clarify equivalent types and doses. Sometimes it will be necessary to prescribe the oestrogen and progestogen separately to make the closest match or find a suitable alternative.