Frustration mounts over HRT shortage

WOMEN are continuing to suffer because of severe shortages of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) – despite signs that stocks of some types are starting to improve.

Pharmacists say levels of brands such as Sandrena HRT gel and Lenzetto spray do seem to be slowly improving, but they are quickly being snapped up as alternatives to Oestrogel, the brand of HRT which has seen the most acute supply shortfalls.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, said: ‘We have had a lot of reports from pharmacists saying they cannot get hold of HRT from the wholesalers, even though some manufacturers are saying, “There’s stock available.”

‘This suggests that something is happening in the supply line, preventing products getting through. We are still seeing people having to phone around from pharmacy to pharmacy, with patients desperate and some travelling 30 to 40 miles to get hold of the product.’

Campaigners are beginning to lose patience with the Government. Ten days ago, its HRT tsar Madelaine McTernan and Health Secretary Sajid Javid pledged to ‘leave no stone unturned’ to address the shortages.

Yesterday, French firm Besins Healthcare, which makes Oestrogel, said it had ‘increased supplies into the UK’, but its manufacture is ‘a complex, multi-step process’ and warned: ‘It will take time to increase capacity to meet the current extraordinary demand.’