Oestrogen shortage.

izzy2076 · 2022-03-01T20:13:56+00:00

According to my chemist, there is a shortage of oestrogel and I'm going to have to wait weeks to be topped up. Has anyone else heard this?

Original poster

izzy2076 · 01/03/2022 20:15

Sorry just seen the other thread on the same issue.

OP posts:

AgathaX · 01/03/2022 20:35

Yes, I'm owed one bottle from my pharmacy since before Xmas. They just keep saying it's not in stock yet and not expected.

deewillow · 03/03/2022 19:55

Same here in Kent.. I'm down to less than half a bottle of estrogel and chemist said they had no idea when stock would be back in. Going on holiday next week so I'm now waiting for the Dr's to issue an alternative prescription. And hoping that a change in meds won't cause too many problems. I'm tempted to cut the gel right back to 1 pump a day instead of the usual 2-3 so that it will eeek it out a bit longer. Anyone tried this?

Hailsafe · 06/03/2022 19:23

I’ve been switched to Sandrena as there’s no oestrogel. So far it’s ok, although I have a few symptoms creeping back in so I’m not sure it’s as strong?

I’m going to start running out soon and really want oestrogel again! Are there still shortages?

StampOnIt · 06/03/2022 20:52

None here either, I ran out a week ago

Fuckitsstillraining · 06/03/2022 23:20

Shortages in Ireland too, I had to switch from patches to gel and now the gel is difficult to get too. Strongly considering a trip to Spain to try stock up.

Libertybear80 · 06/03/2022 23:52

What's caused the shortage do we know?

NiLunNiLautre · 07/03/2022 12:38

Ha! I found this out this morning.
Started HRT just a few weeks ago (Oestrogel plus progesterone tablets). 1st prescription they gave me one pump dispenser and an IOU for the other two. Went today to collect as I’m nearly out of my first. Still out of stock after nearly 4 weeks 😔.

Looks like I’ll have to switch to something else when I’d only just started with Oestrogel. Very annoying.

NiLunNiLautre · 07/03/2022 12:40

@Libertybear80

What's caused the shortage do we know?

I read somewhere else today that it was a supply and logistics issue, rather than an actual shortage or manufacturing issue.

Hope it’s sorted soon.

Hailsafe · 07/03/2022 22:48

The annoying thing is that this isn’t even really being reported by the BMA. Or the media. I think it’s a big deal that millions of women can’t get hold of their prescription drugs!

JinglingHellsBells · 08/03/2022 07:29

@Hailsafe

The annoying thing is that this isn’t even really being reported by the BMA. Or the media. I think it’s a big deal that millions of women can’t get hold of their prescription drugs!

It's being reported by the British Menopause Society.

Contact Besins for info if you need to.

Hailsafe · 08/03/2022 14:56

Sorry, BMS, not BMA.

Is it? All I can find is this update from 22 January, so not up to date:

thebms.org.uk/2022/01/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-20-january-2022/

Hailsafe · 08/03/2022 14:57

And if I contact Besins won’t I just get their statement as per that link?

JinglingHellsBells · 08/03/2022 15:36

A friend of mine has been in touch with Besins recently. It looks as if there are 3 main wholesalers supplying all pharmacies. Each pharmacy is getting their quota- which I assume is the same as they have always had BUT now there are more women requesting gel. Besins say the batches to pharmacies are going out weekly, as usual, and they are also trying to increase production .

I know that pharmacies rely on certain wholesalers, but smaller independent ones may be able to order stock from anywhere, not just one.

There is no 'supply' problem as such from what I have heard, simply increased demand.

NiLunNiLautre · 08/03/2022 16:29

Not sure thats true for everywhere @JinglingHellsBells... my pharmacy said they'd had none for weeks (I've been on an IOU for nearly 4 weeks so that would have been fulfilled as soon as stock came in had there been any) - they're definitely not getting their quota, alas.
I was in touch with my GP today and she described the problem as a 'supply issue'.
I've been prescribed Lenzetto spray as an alternative for now. No idea what that's like.

JinglingHellsBells · 08/03/2022 18:33

I am only repeating what my friend was told in an email coming directly from Besins supply dept two days ago.

Pharmacies have to go through a wholesaler. Some are loyal to one rather than shopping around with others.

You might try asking yours if they have sourced ALL wholesalers.

If you want more info, email Besins Customer services and plead your case and hopefully they might help if you say where you live and what's going on. The more they hear from 'real women' the more they might try to resolve this.

AgathaX · 08/03/2022 20:03

It's a good idea to contact them directly. I've had an IOU with our local pharmacy since before Xmas. Still none in stock.

Camdenish · 10/03/2022 13:16

None of my local chemists have it. The independent I called said they had it in stock. I sent DH there, but it wasn't Oestrogel, it was Oestradose. The pharmacist didn't understand why he wouldn't accept it as apparently it is the same thing? I told him not to accept any substitutes.

WombatChocolate · 10/03/2022 16:41

The manufacturers of Oestrogel say Oestrodose is the same thing. It is a different name used in different countries where they supply it.

During a previous shortage people were given this. Some said it was different and didn’t work for them, if IIRC it remained unclear if it was different or that was just a perception. The manufacturer maintained it was the same product. So it isn’t like subbing Sandrena which is a different gel product, or moving to patches instead.

Camdenish · 10/03/2022 17:42

Thanks *Wombat, I’ve enough oestrogel for a couple of weeks but if that runs out before the chemists get more stock in, I’ll accept Oestrodose.

I was aware there was a previous shortage, but it was before I was taking HRT so I didn’t know the details.

Redcrayons · 10/03/2022 17:56

I only got 2 bottles and it should have been 3 in a January. I’m ok for now, I’ve still got one unopened bottle, but now I’m wondering whether I should put a prescription request in again just in case. Or am I adding to the problem?

It’s been a game changer for me, they’ll be burying me with my bottle.

JinglingHellsBells · 10/03/2022 19:47

@Camdenish

None of my local chemists have it. The independent I called said they had it in stock. I sent DH there, but it wasn't Oestrogel, it was Oestradose. The pharmacist didn't understand why he wouldn't accept it as apparently it is the same thing? I told him not to accept any substitutes.

Oestrogel and Oestrodose are identical @Camendish

The Oestrodose is simply the name of the product in Europe, mainly France where it's used more than the UK.

It's a myth that they are different and it's the 'nocebo' effect according to my consultant.

Over the time I've been on gel, I've had both, sometimes alternating between the two, depending on whether I pick it up where I see my dr, or my local pharmacy. I've not noticed any difference, ever, in over 12 years.

Quality control is so strict with pharmaceuticals that they simply can't make changes to the two products.

Camdenish · 10/03/2022 22:55

Oh, poor DH, I’m going to ask him to go back in to the independent chemist tomorrow, it’s near his work, and get the Oestrodose. They had cartons of boxes. If you think you might be in my neck of the woods I’ll tell you the name of the chemists! Once I’ve got mine…

SparklingLime · 10/03/2022 23:05

Shortage hasn’t hit here yet, but I do use an independent chemist.

SparklingLime · 10/03/2022 23:07

How much do you use, @Redcrayons? I’m wondering whether to increase from 2 pumps (if supply holds).