Everything GP prescribes is unavailable!

[PermanentlyDizzy]

New to all this. First prescription , Estradiol, was sent to the pharmacy yesterday. Tried three pharmacies and was told it’s been unavailable locally for months and no sign of any coming in any time soon.

Went back to GP, explained and asked for an alternative prescription. They prescribed Oestrogel - same problem. Usual pharmacist went mad, said they are sick of this happening, GP’s should be aware of the issue and not trying to prescribe it. They said the GP needs to prescribe a completely different type of product, but couldn’t advise what or what is available.

Every time I contact the GP I have to wait in a telephone queue for over an hour (often longer as I keep getting cut off just as I get to “you are number one in the queue”) and then I only get to speak to their care navigators. If I want a routine appointment I have to wait another month and they have disabled all messaging options on the apps. It’s impossible.

So, before I try again, are there any products which are still available? I am assuming all gels are out, what about sprays or patches.

I was originally prescribed gel plus micronised progesterone and can only have transdermal/topical due to other health issues, if that helps at all?

Every single time this happens please write to your MPs. They need to know that the NHS is having supply problems to push the government to fund the NHS to do something about it. The government has its first ever women’s health strategy that they are working on at the moment. There has literally never been a better time to raise this. Women self- rationing their dosage and/or not being able to get any prescribed medication is totally unacceptable.

I agree MPs need to be told, and asked to do something about it.

The NHS is terrible for women, and has been for decades.

[quote TackyTriceratops]Some info here:

www.mims.co.uk/shortages-oestrogen-only-hrt-reported/womens-health/article/1751061?fbclid=IwAR0rrqGKakNWTpQx3TEGhozyz36QMq7-KGxJDD4RbMFnn5Xx4HwZvFoU0tE[/quote]
This is old info @TackyTriceratops, in so much as it's already been posted some time ago (I left a quote from the BMS and it's also on their website sated 23 march.)

@SpinningTheSeedsOfLove

I agree MPs need to be told, and asked to do something about it.

The NHS is terrible for women, and has been for decades.

I'm not sure how the NHS is supposed to do anything when it's a production issue coming from manufactures and increased demand. Do you expect the NHS to wave some magic wand and increase supplies?

It's the same with all pharmacies which are privately run businesses on the whole.

I have my HRT on a private prescription and it's the same situation for me, even though that's outside the NHS. It's worrying and I've reduced my dose till I get more.

The issue is that demand has gone up hugely over the last 6 months 'thanks' to the media and women wanting HRT. The NHS can't take over private pharma companies and force them to make more drugs.

GPs really should be more informed and know the issues around this - it’s quite a frequent issue

Right, yes. I'll be sure to spend today ringing round the 30 odd pharmacies in my area, asking about the 500+ drugs that they keep in stock. Obviously I'll have to do that several times, in case they run out over the course of the day. Excellent idea.

Pharmacist here. I have dealt with numerous stock shortages over the years. There are a few reasons we don't always tell the GP what is available:

1. Just because it's available it doesn't mean it's clinically appropriate. The pharmacy does not have access to your medical records, they don't know what you've already tried or what you are allergic too.

1. The stock situation changes on a daily basis, it may be in stock now but might not tomorrow and we won't be able to fulfil the 20 prescriptions that the GP has written believing it is in stock.

1. We quite often do not have a magic bat phone to the surgery and do not have time to make contact each time there is a stock issue.

There have been supply issues with HRT for a long time. There are not that many pharmaceutical wholesalers to choose from, many are owned by the pharmacy multiples which makes it even harder for independent pharmacies.

Also we quote often do tell the surgery its out of stock but locum GPs might not always get the message or they just forget and prescribe anyway, it's understandable given their current workload.

I had this problem a couple of weeks ago - I actually emailed the manufacturers because several pharmacies had told me it was a manufacturing issue and I had no chance of getting any.

The emailed me back saying there was no manufacturering issue, and it was down to some of the suppliers having logistical issues, and I should ring round lots of pharmacies. I then found one out of the four in my town had plenty in stock. Maybe phone round some further away?

Alternatively someone mentioned a spray on a previous thread that seems to be readily available.

I am on the Evorel patches and have had no issues with supply - these are potentially in lower demand though as they are oestrogen only. First time I went to the chemist they didn't have any in stock, but got them the next day for me and after that there has been no problem.

A friend who is on HRT goes to the pharmacist before her GP appointment to see what they have, and goes in for her appointment armed with her list.

@hellcatspangle

I had this problem a couple of weeks ago - I actually emailed the manufacturers because several pharmacies had told me it was a manufacturing issue and I had no chance of getting any.

The emailed me back saying there was no manufacturering issue, and it was down to some of the suppliers having logistical issues, and I should ring round lots of pharmacies. I then found one out of the four in my town had plenty in stock. Maybe phone round some further away?

Alternatively someone mentioned a spray on a previous thread that seems to be readily available.

That's interesting.

There have been supply issues with HRT for a long time. There are not that many pharmaceutical wholesalers to choose from, many are owned by the pharmacy multiples which makes it even harder for independent pharmacies.

This is true BUT it's also the case that independent smaller pharmacies can often use different wholesalers as their hands are not tied by being part of a huge multiple.

(Friend of mine ran their own pharmacy for years.)

The issue is not one of manufacturing (like unavailable raw materials or parts for the containers - one issue which was around some years ago.)

It's purely an increase in demand. These are not precise figures, but roughly speaking, if last year only 10% of women used gel and now (as a result of media coverage) that's gone up to 15%, the pharma companies are racing against the clock (their production plants) to make more and fulfil demand.

What I have heard from Besins is that they have lost their 'safety stock supply' owing to demand, so every bottle they produce is going straight out and being used. This means back orders are being fulfilled and also new stock coming in weekly is going out very fast.

It's in their interests to sell products so they will increase output as soon as possible, I'm sure.