MNHQ here: have you found it difficult to get HRT recently?

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

As lots of MNers have already been discussing, there seems to be a nationwide shortage of some forms of HRT. (The reasons for the shortage seem a little clouded in mystery, although there's a partial explainer here.)

We've noticed a few MNers talking about going abroad to obtain their usual brand of HRT, or considering buying online - which of course isn't something health professionals would generally recommend (and probably doesn't feel very good to the women doing it either).

It seems pretty scandalous to us that women are having to do this in order to be sure of supplies of essential medicines and we wanted to get a sense of how many of you are affected.

So if you've struggled to get supplies of your normal HRT, or have considered going abroad or buying online to secure your supplies, we'd be interested to hear from you - please post on this thread or if you'd rather keep it confidential feel free to PM us or email us on [email protected]

Thanks
MNHQ

You didn't say that it was online pharmacies- you said private pharmacies. Two totally different things. Online pharmacies might have old stock as they are not used as much.

I am now on my fourth form of HRT since starting for the first time in January of this year. I stated on tablets (Elleste 1mg) then got put on another tablet (can't remember the name) which made me feel rubbish. As it happened, this too was unavailable after three months and I was started on Evorel patches which I used for three months again, only to be told it is no longer available. I went back to my GP who prescribed Oestrogel and Progestogen tablets.

I have never been on one long enough to obtain more than three month's supply. Rightly so, each time I am started on a new one the GP wants to keep an eye on me and check my BP etc so I am called back monthly for the firsts three months, then my HRT is changed.

Fingers crossed, the gel and tablets continue to be supplied and I can find out what it's like to feel 'normal' again after nearly twenty months of not!!

@Suthepu I’ve just seen your post- horrendous that you’ve had to go through so different forms of HRT due to supply issues.

There’s just been another update from the BMS which I thought I’d share, it seems that the company that has taken over the production of Evorel products hope to have them in stock again in February 2020. Also interesting that it states there is no shortage of Estradot patches as that conflicts with women’s experiences on here and elsewhere.

mailchi.mp/528f43775122/induced-menopause-in-women-with-endometriosis-1565877?e=d91ed88b49

No been given Elleste Duet 2mg tablets instead .. bet they have no more if and when I go back! This is becoming a real joke..

Thanks over50andfab ... tbh I didn't feel fab on the patches! First week of gel now and feel up and down but keeping busy seems to help 😊

I've only just been prescribed patches. The first ones I was allergic to the adhesive so have switched to evorel 50mg. They could only give me half the prescription at first and now collected the other half which is 25mg so now have to wear two patches.

My arse is still recovering from the allergic reaction so wearing two patches will be fun

@mogtheexcellent better than nothing I guess!! Which patches gave you the allergy?

I can reliably inform you that the evorel patches stick fast (well the 50 ones do!!). What ever you do, don't try to get rid of the residual glue after removal with a fingernail or scrubbing, as that can have a reaction. Baby oil on a cotton pad works well ...or you can leave all the rectangular outlines as some sort of badge of honour that you've reached menopause!!

I run out of patches in a couple of weeks so went to my local chemist 2 days ago to see what they had or might be able to get, expecting if really lucky to get Estradot, or I'd have to move onto the gel. They had Evorel in! Just the one box for 3 months worth, and unable for the moment to order in more of either Evorel or Esradot.

They offered to hold them for me while I organised the prescription and I hot footed it back home to do it online via patient access. I love my GP - it showed up about 2 hrs later as approved and I returned to the chemist to get it. I really didn't expect it to be that easy but think I must have been very very lucky.

I have received an email today regarding patches I have bought online.. Europe bound but being sold in the UK privately double the price! This is really not on..!

I've got a couple of packets of Femoston Conti (2 x 84) and a few on a separate card.

I am no longer taking them. One pack is in date to November 20 and the other pack is out in 2021. They've been kept cool and dark if anyone wants them.

Can’t get my hrt patches anywhere. Been trying for two months. This is ridiculous.

@MadameGazelleIsMyHomegirl has your GP offered you an alternative like estrogen gel (and if you were getting you progesterone in patch form utrogestan pills?) There does seem to be another patch that might still be available - progynova - but you’d have to see if your chemist can get it.

I have just collected 6 months supply of Evorel Conti. I put in request to GP online on 25th, chemist dispensed on the 27th. I needn't have rationed my patches! I hope this is the end of shortages for all.

I need Evorel 50 patches following surgical menopause after a hysterectomy last August.

I asked for my usual three month prescription in November. The chemist gave me one month supply and told me they owe me two boxes. I've been back several times but they haven't got the other two boxes yet. They can't give me the prescription back as they dispensed some of it and sent it off to wherever it goes.

The GP said they can't give me another prescription as they've already prescribed me three months of meds and I need to take it up with the chemist.

I can't find Evorel 50 online anywhere to buy online.

I'm really struggling with severe menopause symptoms now

@YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan sorry you’re struggling with this. Some pharmacies keep closer contact with GP surgeries than others re availability and shortages. Sounds like neither is being very helpful. 🙁

If the pharmacy can’t fulfil the prescription (perhaps ask if they can get any other patches like Progynova?) then I suggest going back to your GP and request a prescription for estrogel, which is still available. Although Evorel should start coming back into stock next month, it might take time and I’ll believe it when I see it.

Please don’t suffer in silence. There are accessible alternatives (see link above)

The continuing shortages were discussed on BBC Breakfasr thus morning.

The report also suggested that manufacturing / supply chain issues are also impinging on certain brands of contraceptive pill.

This is really not good enough.

I get that there can be occasional interruptions to supply. But thus has been dragging on and on

Yes, there’s been a lot in the press too, raising awareness, which is good,

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7974563/amp/Catastrophic-ongoing-shortages-HRT-contraceptives-unacceptable.html

I really like this one: peppy.health/menopause/the-real-reasons-why-women-are-going-without-their-hrt/

Still no luck getting Evorel but I managed to get a one month supply of Estraderm.

The pharmacist is still trying to get Evorel and will try and get more Estraderm.

@YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan and anyone else waiting for Evorel, see here: www.theramex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Evorel-UK-Stock-Update-from-Theramex-Stock-Update-21JAN20.pdf

So starting Feb 14 Evorel 50 should start coming back into stock, followed also Conti 21 Feb, then other dose patches of Evorel , and then Sequi by the end of March.

How fast this will happen I have no idea, but if anyone has paid for prescription that have only been partly filled, then hopefully this can be done soon.

So pleased to have got my Elleste Duet 2mg from my local chemist today: gave me 4 months' worth of the six month supply prescription, with the owing two months expected in stock in the next day or two.
It was a trial to find a local chemist that had any in when I obtained my last prescription, and I had nearly run out when a local pharmacy saved the day.
So it seems that supplies of some HRT medications are improving.

I am very ANGRY today after a total palaver with my HRT prescription!

GP gave me my repeat prescription for Elleste Duet 1mg, no problem. Boots said they haven't got it/ can't get it and I have to go back to GP. I ask if they can put it back on the system, so I can shop around to see if anywhere else has stock.
I find an online pharmacy who can do it, after a bit of faffing around. I sent it to them and it arrived today, except I only got ONE MONTH's supply rather than the usual 3 months I get prescribed. I check my prescription form and see that the GP has only prescribed me one month this time. I called the surgery and was told by a haughty receptionist that "there are HRT shortages" (err, yes, I know ) and that there's nothing they can do and I have to go back to the pharmacy.
I tried to explain that I am now in a Catch 22 situation with local pharmacy unable to supply, and my last prescription has now supposedly been 'met' so I can't go back for more. Also point out that prescribing it monthly would cost me £216 rather than the usual £72 a year I pay!

@NormaSnorks, I’m not surprised you’re angry. However as you say the pharmacy fulfilled a prescription written by your GP so they have done as requested and therefore no point going back to them. I hope the receptionist didn’t say you should do this?

I’d suggest going back to your GP (perhaps in a couple of weeks) and asking again for a prescription for 3 months, on the understanding that it might not be fulfilled all at the same time. (Btw see the post above yours). Explain that you should not have to lose out financially due the the NHS not addressing these shortages soon enough. Perhaps ask for a green (Paper) prescription which will allow you to shop around (by phone preferably!), though bear in mind that once it is partly fulfilled yoU can’t then take it to another pharmacy to fulfil the rest.

Btw if you took out an annual PPC it would cost you £104. www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs

Latest update on HRT availability here thebms.org.uk/2020/05/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-30-april-2020/

over50andfab:thanks for that update.
I still don't have the two months' supply owing to me (in my post a little way upthread).
I can't see how it can be right that the pharmacy has had my £18, but only supplied two thirds of my prescription.
I think it might be time for a re think of which HRT might suit me better, anyway.
I've been on the Elleste Duet 2mg for two years, and at 56 I would like to try a no bleed preparation. Also,I think that the norethisterone doesn't suit me; I feel anxious and tearful when taking it.
I have little faith in my GP or practice nurse (last time I went for a review, they wanted to prescribe an oestrogen only treatment, even though I have a uterus).
I've thought about contacting Dr Louise Newson's clinic for a review,as they have a new centre near me, in Manchester.