Oestrogel shortage - what to do??

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My pharmacist can’t get any and I’ve been waiting for a new prescription to be filled. They appear to have not saved any for the repeat order and had a lot of walk ins. I don’t know how it works but they seem to bring up the repeats when I arrive rather than as they are sent (as in they are her ready to collect for me or the kids).
What can I try / suggest - I’m on progesterone and the gel??

*they are never ready to collect

I've asked my pharmacist to phone me when they get some in. I suspect they're not going to though because it's been 4 weeks and I've heard nothing.

My GP just prescribed a substitute called sandrena.

I'm with an independent pharmacy that does try to bag up the prescriptions as soon as possible, once they've been sent through electronically from the GP.

My GP refuses to prescribe Oestrogel now on the grounds 'it's unavailable anywhere in the country'. So I asked for Sandrena gel and the pharmacy can't get it. So I've now asked the GP for a third prescription, to go back to Evorel patches, which they may or may not give me and which the pharmacy may or may not be able to get.

It's hopefully a temporary shortage in the UK as other countries don't seem so affected? What a bloody palaver.

I'm with an independent pharmacy that does try to bag up the prescriptions as soon as possible, once they've been sent through electronically from the GP.

This is what I thought they all did. I’ve been really surprised to turn up a few days after to find that I have to wait or come back later.

Maybe I should ask about sandrena? Or patches?

My prescription has been changed twice due to shortages. I'm now on fematab. It's the tablet form & I believe there is no shortages with that.

Thankyou. I really wanted to stick with the gel but it’s looking unlikely now.

thebms.org.uk/news/british-menopause-society-update-on-hrt-supply/#:~:text=The%20current%2050%20mg%2F5ml,a%20smaller%20volume%20of%20gel.

Sandrena is available as a gel in sachets OP. Though for how much longer as every GP is forced to prescribe this instead...!

I switched to Sandrena, but the second prescription couldn’t be fulfilled due to shortage of that. The tried to order lenzetto - still no joy.

Now got my first patch last week, seems good so far.

I’ve got an unopened oestrogel that I’m happy to post to you. It was prescribed to me incorrectly and pharmacy said it would be binned when I tried to return it
Bloody scandalous when there’s a shortage

Gosh it seems really embedded thanks for the link.

The shortage is supposed to be short term as they are increasing production.

I was only given a month prescription the last time, rather than my usual 3. I assume it's because of this ... how frustrating.

I switched to Sandrena which seems to work just as well as Estrogel for me, indeed I like the convenience of the little sachets and am thinking of stashing a few in my work bag in case I forget to take my normal dose before leaving the house.

It’s appalling, isn’t it? That so many women can’t get their prescription medication.

I had Oestrogel prescribed, but after one month had to switch to Lenzetto. It appears from a PP that that may also be in short supply now ☹️

I was on Sandrena, I can’t find it anywhere, so I am now on Lenzetto 🤯.

This has been going on for so long now. It's disgusting.

www.gponline.com/extraordinary-demand-leads-shortage-hrt-products/womens-health/menopausal-and-hrt/article/1752740

This suggests other types are also impacted. Not sure what to do I’ll have to call the surgery for an alternative. Thank you to a lovely pp for the offer of a bottle but I think maybe I need a longer term solution.

There clearly is SOME stock arriving which is why some women are getting it. It's not as if production has stopped- it hasn't- it's just more demand.

I think one issue is that some pharmacies have a contract/ loyalty/ rely on one wholesaler and are not able or willing to shop around.

There are something like 3 main wholesalers- Alliance, Unichem and another.

Local pharmacies rely on these to get supplies of all drugs.

There was a post from someone who got 9 bottles last week- 2 had been put away and then Boots got the rest for her.

So it is in the system, it's just pharmacies need to get hold of it.

From what I have read- and that GP link is old- that info came out about 4-6 weeks ago- Besins is increasing production. So it ought to settle down soon.

The options are Sandrena, Lezetto, or an estrogen only patch.

The link is 12.04 - I’ll see if there is any update anywhere.

thebms.org.uk/news/british-menopause-society-update-on-hrt-supply/

Also 12.04

There is always a delay between press releases coming out and being uploaded onto other websites. It needs someone to do the work.

The BMS is a very small organisation (they are currently looking for an admin employee.) It can take a while to update websites and the same for the GP link.

A friend of mine emailed Besins in early March to query supply, had several replies saying the same thing, and had a similar reply to the one you linked to around 26 March- so almost 4 weeks ago.

Ok, but I’m trying to find current information and both organisations have an update at 12.04. If you have anything more recent please share so I can make an informed choice about next steps.

I’ve checked Twitter and it’s still ongoing, and it seems like the alternative gel is also out of stock.
Really don’t want tablets. Decided to follow dr newsome as she’s always flagged in menopause groups.
Anyone on decent patches (mainly flushes and brain fog pre oestrogel) which also have progesterone?

I don't have anything more up to date.

My understanding is that the supply will gradually increase as does their production. It's in their interests to sell as much as possible.

Have you tried asking pharmacies what they can get hold of? Sandrena? Lenzetto? Patches?

Can you go into the pharmacy where they send your prescription and ask for your order to be kept back when it comes in?