Oestrogel shortage?

[Hop243]

Hello, first post from a long time lurker! I got a prescription for oestrogel and utrogestan from my GP but the local pharmacy are saying there is a national shortage of oestrogel. This is my first attempt at HRT so wasn't expecting that! Has anybody else been affected, I am in the south east area.

It's not showing up on the British Menopause Society as being an issue but that was end of November. thebms.org.uk/2021/11/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-22-november-2021/

Have you tried other pharmacies?

Also, you can always contact the customer services dept at Besins, the manufacturer, to ask. They have a UK office.

No problem around here as far as I am aware. Try another pharmacist. I have been told this re other items in the past and it turns out the pharmacy were mistaken/ dishonest and they were the only local pharmacy having a problem getting stock in

Thank you JinglingHellsBells, I have sent an email to Besins. I had seen the BMS article but can't find anything more up to date.
I have a telephone call booked with the GP tomorrow so may try an alternative or another pharmacy.

Pharmacies have a selection of wholesale suppliers and sometimes they are loyal to one, meaning they don't always get stock when it's available from another. If you have several in your town, I'd suggest you take your prescription to them and see if they have any.

I've been on oestrogel for 3 or 4 years, never had a supply problem before, but my pharmacy (at the GP surgery) tell me there is none to be had, and no idea when it will be available. I've had to swap to patches for now.

@Ephigenia

I've been on oestrogel for 3 or 4 years, never had a supply problem before, but my pharmacy (at the GP surgery) tell me there is none to be had, and no idea when it will be available. I've had to swap to patches for now.

There are sometimes problems but they usually resolve quite quickly. I read on another forum- Menopause Matters- that it's a supply issue, not a manufacturing issue. This could mean anything from it being stuck in transit owing to lorry drivers/ freight issues. Try shopping around. Some pharmacies have so little demand for gel they always have a couple in stock OR they can try ordering from other wholesalers.

I'm having problems getting mine too. Ordered it on the 2nd and been back 4 times and the pharmacy keep coming up with different excuses as to why they haven't got it. Waiting for a call back from the GP about getting an alternative as I'm about to run out :(

Same here - East Mids. I rang around local pharmacies yesterday and as soon as I said Oestrogel they were immediately like… oh no, sorry we have nothing. One hugely popular and very longstanding pharmacy said they have several back orders of prescriptions waiting.

Waiting on a call back from the doctors to suggest an alternative. I’m on the dregs of my last bottle!

My doctor has prescribed sachets instead (which they only had half of in stock), but they seem to be a different dose to the pump bottle

It was posted on another forum that the issue is a shortage due to demand and should resolve. Besins posted on a Facebook page and said this was the reason.

or rather someone who'd been in touch with Besins posted on facebook :)

I’m having problems too-the pharmacy staff think they can get some next week. I hope they’re right as I’ve nearly run out!

Same problem here, North East. I’m going to use half a dose as I’m really low.

Eeep - I'm on oestrogel ( 4 pumps a day) got one bottle left - maybe I need to get in a new order !!

I'll really struggle without it - eep

Good luck everyone

Same here in Birmingham. All the pharmacies are saying out of stock and supply issues. Yet all the private pharmacies don’t have any problems.
No supply issues according to Besins.

Went back to pharmacy today…he hadn’t kept any back for me 😡. Other local pharmacy doesn’t have any either. Getting desperate now 😩. I can’t use patches (I’m allergic) and can’t tolerate oral progesterone (I’ve been using the utrogestan vaginally). Eking my last pack of gel out but there’s not much left.

Same in the South West. In a large city, and nowhere has it - have called loads of pharmacies. All say the same - don't know when it's coming in. Have just left my prescription with one (since 11th January) and hope I get some soon, nearly finished my last bottle. Definitely get your repeat prescription request in sooner rather than later, I've been waiting 10 days for mine.

Hi

I'm on oestrogel 4 pumps per day (3mg).

I've been given sandrena 1 sachet a day (1mg).

Is this right? Are these equivalent doses?

The chemist was also unable to supply utrogestan. I am in panic!

Thanks for any help or advice.

Got some today! Alleluia!

Sorry @Psychonabike, I don’t know about Sandrena. Have you checked the BNF? I didn’t know utrogestan was also in short supply. They gave me that last week.

@Psychonabike, 1 pump of oestrogel contains 750 micrograms estradiol hemihydrate, and 1mg (as is in your sachets of Sandrena) is 1,000 micrograms. So 4 pumps oestrogel should be the same as 3 1mg sachets I think.

Update: Got mine today 11 days after prescription put in to pharmacy.

Thanks @ChocoholicContralto

I got some oestrogel from an independent chemist. Phew.

@Psychonabike and @CamsPaisleyCuffs that’s good news!

I feel so relieved to have got my hands on some (I cried the other day when I couldn’t get it 😳).

I'm wondering if it's just Boots (and whatever supply chain they are using). I went to an independent chemist in a neighbouring village and they had it. Reported no problems with their supply and told me I wasn't the first to come through for it.