Any having trouble getting oestrogen based products

[rosabug]

It's driving me batty. I have now been without for over a week and know it won't be long before symptoms start to hit.

First the pump action gel was no longer available, then the sandrena sachets. My doctor prescribed a patch but can't get that either. I live in London.

I think my doctor expects me to ring around the whole of south london trying to source these products. The BMC can't really account for it - or they are not telling us.

'Anyone' I meant to say in the title. Written in a fury with decreasing cognitive functions.

There is a problem but what Besins who make Oestrogel say, is it's down to demand. Pharmacies are supposed to be getting supplies in weekly, so if it is out of stock one day, it might be in a week later because what comes in is going out very fast as back orders etc.

I think it might be worth pushing your local pharmacies and asking which wholesalers they use and also, ask them to contact Besins UK to ask where the next batches are being sent (to which wholesalers.)

Do you mean the BMS?

You can also contact Besins uk yourself by email and make them aware of your issues and ask for advice.

Thanks - but I don't see it's my responsibility to hassle the pharmacies. I've rang several. some are helpful, others just won't engage other than 'go back to your GP'.

Hi am located in south East , my pharmacist unable to provide oestragel and professionally distanced self from the problem or trying to find a solution , with advice to go back to GP. Electronic message in non -urgent route sent to GP , so response will be days away. Has any one found an on line pharmacist with stock ? Thank you

No issues with patches in Devon where I live. Gel is out tho.

My pharmacy also had trouble with Oestrogel last time I ordered. They managed to get some after a week or so. Pharmacist said there’s supply problems at the moment.

I’m feeling vindicated in my mild stockpiling of most of my meds that I started in preparation for Brexit!

My local pharmacist disinclined to assist. Did not offer any guidance other than go back to GP. Very disappointed as local pharmacist. But am at a loss . Have asked GP to issue prescription direct to me and I will tout it around the other local independents I guess….

Yes for the gel....useless pharmacy have been sacked off, they have been having ishhoos since december, but do fuck all about it until the day you go to fetch it and bleat "it's out of stock we'll have to write to your GP" .....yes write, not phone, or email, they use the postal system

It doesn't seem to occur to them that using the most inefficient way ever is impacting on their time at all. Oh no, and when you ask any questions they shrug and tell you to be kind.

I flounced to Boots who could not have been more helpful and if the GP had sent over the right RX then I'd have had my hands on two bottles within 48 hours. Only since they never read their fecking emails it's been three weeks to get the last bottle.
Someone from the surgery did call to say that supplies had been low, but now coming back in. However the shortage has caused a bit of a scrimmage on the gel so pharmacies HAVE to be proactive and check stocks

I need more mid month so am bracing myself.

I also had a small stash due to brexit prepping so have a bottle in hand so to speak, but that's not going to last forever if the GP is lying about the situation being resolved.

@Leeta I know - the pharmacist bats you back to the GP making out they are just out of stock and passing it on to you to run around finding some. It's infuriating.

A friend gave me some patches which will last a couple of weeks until I find some. I got a substitute online beginning with L (can't remember the full name) but when I checked out to get more they were out of stock.

I have bought some gel from abroad - god knows if it will come. I suspect the suppliers are getting dribs and drabs but maybe prioritise the pharmacists who are most persistent.

I found a pharmacist with some evorel patches but that wasn't the prescription I had, so I had to go back to the doctor but it was last thing on friday, so he never rang me back to re-write and send the prescription. Probably gone now.

in the end what can they do if the stocks are low? Well I don't know but I think they could try harder and join up the dots.

Thank you for your response. It WAS possible to buy from a Russian based on line pharmacy but not atm ! I am relieved not just me !

Thank you for your response. I will post outcome of my two electronic messages to GP if I get a response. Or any useful information.