Recent contraceptive pill shortage concerns

Hansi Bennett knows what it’s like to feel constant pain.

The 38-year-old, who lives just out of Hamilton, has had a particularly difficult lockdown experience – her mother, Joy Crocombe, died, and she has had two under-5s at home with her.

She wanted to get the contraceptive Mirena to help manage her severe endometriosis, which causes her pain and heavy bleeding, but Covid-19 meant her appointment was postponed.

Bennett decided to go on an oral contraceptive pill while she waited, again to help manage the endometriosis. But when she approached doctors and pharmacists, they declined to prescribe, telling her stocks were too low.

‘‘There was none available . . . The pharmacy weren’t being [difficult], they just said ‘we can’t get any’. And I wondered, ‘are people stockpiling this?’.’’

Only one non-funded oral contraceptive was available, for about $50, which she eventually bought. But Bennett worried about those in less fortunate circumstances than herself. ‘‘Some people can’t afford it. There was no [other] option. I thought it’s that or painkillers, which is not ideal. I wanted to be able to properly manage [my endometriosis].’’

Once the lockdown lifted, she was able to get Mirena. But just before she got it, stocks of funded oral contraceptives were still not available, she said.

‘‘I said to the pharmacist, ‘what about young teenage girls who might not be able to get this? What’s the answer?’ It’s not their fault, they can’t get it.

‘‘This is pretty ridiculous . . . I just don’t understand, it’s basic contraceptives and this shouldn’t be a problem or complicated.’’

Fiona Tolich, trustee of advocacy group Patient Voice Aotearoa, said the supply issues were a problem for some women.

‘‘The supply issues have the potential to pose an impact on the wellbeing for some women caught up in this situation,’’ Tolich said.

‘‘Of significant concern is that less than two months ago we were told by Pharmac that the supply issue was not Covid-related and that supply was expected midApril. Why are we learning there is an issue now, over a month later?’’

Pharmac operations director Lisa Williams said there were now shortages of two contraceptives in New Zealand – Microlut and Norimin.

The shortage of Microlut was caused by a significant surge in demand during February and March, while the Norimin shortage was because of a manufacturing issue, which had been going on for some time and had affected supply globally, Williams said.

Pharmac had funded two alternative products – Necon and Microlut SCT – in the meantime, Williams said. However, neither was approved by Medsafe, so both must be prescribed in accordance with the Medicines Act.

‘‘Patients, in discussion with their prescriber, may also choose an alternative registered product. We acknowledge this is inconvenient for patients and are working with the suppliers of Microlut and Norimin to restore continuity of supply as quickly as possible.’’

Dispensing limits have been placed on oral contraceptives.

Pharmac would continue to update its website with information as the situation evolved.

‘‘There was none available . . . The pharmacy weren’t being [difficult], they just said ‘we can’t get any’.’’ Hansi Bennett