Minister doing ‘everything’ he can to get HRT supplies

HEALTH Minister Stephen Donnelly has requested meetings with pharmaceutical companies to discuss the shortage in HRT medication for people going through menopause.

The Fianna Fáil TD stressed yesterday that ‘everything that can be done will be done’ to help women who are going through ‘real distress’ due to the scarce supply of the products. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medicine-based treatment used to relieve menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings.

It comes in a number of different forms such as tablets, skin patches and gels. The symptoms may return if HRT medication is stopped abruptly. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has said it is aware of the shortages in Ireland since February; however, issues with a number of HRT patches are not expected to be alleviated until midJuly, its website states.

Minister Donnelly said yesterday that while there are shortages in Ireland, this is a global issue. He noted that his department is working to arrange meetings with pharmaceutical companies to see what can be done. ‘There has been a very significant increase in demand for HRT over a very short period of time and it is taking the providers time to time to catch up,’ he said.

‘Rest assured, everything that can be done will be done.’

A spokesperson for the Department of Health told the Irish Daily Mail the HPRA is in regular engagement with suppliers about the lack of supply.

The companies that place the products on the market have indicated the current supply difficulties are due to an increased demand for these medicines in Ireland recently.