‘Davina effect’ smashed the menopause taboo

HRT is in short supply thanks to increased demand in the past year driven by celebrity campaigns, political action and greater media coverage of the menopause, pharma firms say.

‘It’s the Davina effect,’ said Tina Backhouse of Theramex, which supplies the HRT treatment Bijuva. TV star Davina McCall, 54, right, is credited with helping to smash the taboo surrounding ‘the change’ in her 2021 documentary Sex, Myths And The Menopause.

Some firms admit they are having ‘temporary’ supply chain issues.

Health Minister Maria Caulfield said HRT supply was a priority for her, adding: ‘I met the manufacturers last week. They are restricted as some of the ingredients come from countries affected by Covid, and the global container issues.’

There is also a knock-on effect. When women have trouble accessing one brand of HRT affected by supply problems, such as Oestrogel, they are forced to try alternatives such as the spray Lenzetto. This creates shortages of the alternatives.

Sajid Javid’s HRT tsar will have to convince global firms to send more HRT supplies here – which might raise prices for the NHS.