Demand for action over HRT shortage
THE shortage of hormone replacement therapy and contraceptives is “unacceptable” and continues to harm women, doctors warned last night.
Three bodies are demanding a working group is set up to address the issue.
They told Health Secretary Matt Hancock that patients unable to obtain their usual contraceptives could mean more unplanned pregnancies.
And thousands of menopausal women have been hit by shortages of HRT products, including Evorel and Indivina.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the British Menopause Society, along with the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive
Healthcare (FSRH), have urged Mr Hancock to take action.
FSRH president Dr Asha Kasliwal said women were being turned away from pharmacies or forced to switch to possibly less effective medication.
Issues over HRT are expected to ease this month, as products which supply 70 per cent of the patch market will be reintroduced.
RCOG president Dr Edward Morris said a lack of transparency over the shortages was “extremely frustrating”.
He said: “It remains unclear why there is a shortage in the first place or when the normal supply of the products might resume.
“Thousands of women and girls have been adversely affected by this ongoing situation and they deserve better.
“This working group must work together to ensure that this situation is prevented from happening again.”