No availability of HRT patches

[Egghead68]

Hi - my foray into HRT will be short-lived, it seems (3 weeks in total) due to lack of availability of HRT treatments in my area.

I was on Evorel Conti, which can't be obtained now (I had 6 patches which my pharmacist said were the last ones). I have asked my GP if they will prescribe an alternative but they have not got back to me and my patch runs out on Tuesday. In any case, it seems there are low/no stocks of most/all forms here due to people having to switch.

Anyone else had this problem and got any suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

It's all very well saying try something else but it took weeks to get the GP to agree to patches rather than tablet & I've been told it's fine I can just swop to tablets......& I don't want to

I don't see how this can be down to a sudden increase in demand - the problems with Elleste Duet (which are pills not patches) have been going on for months. It's infuriating not getting a clearer story about what the issue really is. Is it happening in other countries, does anyone know?

& the GP receptionist, the sales assistant and the pharmacist all said - it wouldn't happen if it was meds solely for men

Isn't it sad that all four of us thought the same

@TickleMyFanny Can you just buy them without a prescription there?
I might see if any of my friends are on holiday there and can get me some

Yep, I think the same @KatyMac. I'm amazed how long it's taken for there to be any coverage of the issue too - though glad it has recently become more visible.

Imagine if it was viagra? Or aspirin?

@KatyMac
"I'm only allowed one month at a time & I am not allowed to re-order until I have used 2 weeks"

Are you serious? And for that one months supply you pay a double prescription charge? That's outrageous. Do you know why?

FWIIW I get 3 months as standard every time. What a waste of everyone's time and effort (and your money).

It might be due to problems sourcing chemicals to make the glue that sticks the patches on (rumour in the press).

Superdrug have declined my v expensive order but said that it is because I should not be on HRT patches for perimenopause anyhow and they are only suitable for 1 year post last period (my GP said different when I checked).

My GP has now sent my local pharmacy a prescription for some sort of pill :(

Yes @Egghead68 I've heard that too - but how do supply problems for glue explain the fact that a number of the pill versions are not available either? Many of the discussions on this board, which go back six months, are for pills as well as patches. I'm assuming it's a supply problem with one of the main hormones - but that doesn't really make sense if the issue is only on the UK.

No as I'm on conti it's one charge but I prepay anyway

Wobblylondoner all I have read is that there is a knock-on effect on availability of the pills due to people having to switch to them. I think it all sounds a bit fishy though, especially as you can get them in the 100s in Ibiza.

I will continue to blame Brexit until I see evidence otherwise.

I really don’t want to take a pill - I’m on more than enough pills already and I don’t want an increased risk of blood clots.

No problem with supply in Dublin?

Tbh they are talking about it as an inconvenience

Not having sex because there is a low supply of Viagra....this is bloody serious

@LizB62A no no consultation or prescription required

The reason that some people are only allowed a month at a time is because slowly ccg’s are being bought in to optimise medications. This means strict adherence to supply and no re ordering until you have 7 days left. It saves millions of nhs money per year. Just in case anyone wants to know

Well if there is a secure supply chain, that's fine but as it is I am terrified, I have 2 patches left

Sadly, HRT patches arent prioritised therefore you are looking at shortages due to Brexit. Hopefully you can speak to your GP and get ahead of the game a bit before Oct 31st

The FemSeven brand of patches was always known for falling off and many users would put plasters or tape to hold them on. They were bought out by a different manufacturer last year who announced, shortly after buying the brand, that they were taking them out of supply until they had reformulated the adhesive. This led to increased demands for other brands of patches.

Many of the tablet forms seem to be coming and going, nobody seems to know why. I'm not sure how it could be Brexit related unless it is selfishness and stockpiling but that should be controlled when it needs prescriptions.
It is all very well groups, like the BMS, producing lists of what they say is available but the brands they claim are in stock often aren't and it changes very quickly

I'm in London and get six months supply, Evorel 75.

On Friday I made an online request as down to one month's supply, my usual practice, and it's been approved today. I wonder what will happen when I turn up at the pharmacy on Wednesday .

Please let us know Westfacing. I was prescribed 2 months last time and only got 4 weeks. This time I was prescribed 1 month and got none. Run out tomorrow and may, if I am lucky, be able to pick up 1 month of substitute pills (that I may or may not take).

Yes, will do Egghead.

I have a GP appointment tomorrow as cant get my Evorel Conti patches anywhere.

Really don't want to go back to pills, they made me so sick

Thanks for the confirmation @TickleMyFanny

I've only been on Evorel Conti for about 6 months and it's really helped with my brain fog, disturbed sleep etc. I've ordered my next 3 months worth today so hopefully my local pharmacy can still get it (the local Boots was never able to get it for me, our little local independent one could so fingers crossed!)

It may be worth ringing to see if your surgery has a practice pharmacist, every practice does round here and they are far better at knowing what the equivalents are and what is available than the GPs are.