Is there still a shortage of HRT medicines?

[PupInAPram]

I was prescribed an HRT treatment for the first time on Wednesday morning at an early morning GP appointment. Usually I would get a text the next day from my pharmacy to say the prescription is ready to collect. It's Saturday morning and still nothing. I know there were news reports a while back about HRT shortages. Is this still the case? Could that be why it's taking so long to fill the prescription? My GP sends prescriptions across to the pharmacy electronically so they will have had it since Wednesday morning.

I got gel no problem. Personally I’d have contacted the chemist before now, not waited for a text.

Thanks @KangarooKenny on my way down there now to check. They always send a text for my asthma inhalers which is why I was wondering.

I am struggling to get progesterone prescription filled, so I would say yes there is a shortage. It's not for menopause, either, it's so I can stop bleeding long enough to get a smear test taken. Ho hum.

I may resort to online prescription filling service & then rescheduling the smear for 10-14 days after I actually get to start the prescription.

Ah right. Mine is Estradiol pessaries prescribed following a really awful smear test by an incredibly understanding, menopausal, nurse who struggled to do the test but managed eventually. She said there's absolutely no need to put up with that. Bless her.

The pharmacy just hadn't sent the usual text, so they were there waiting for collection. Phew!

The BMS published a list on 22 July (it's on their website) which says that Oestrogel is still in short supply, although twice as much is now coming to the UK compared to April last year. Sandrena is supposed to be short too as so many women are swapping.

I actually gave up on HRT tablets a while ago, as multiple chemists couldn't supply. Had a problem getting Oestrogel a couple of months ago, but this time it has come through on my regular prescription. I have horrible hot flushes, so would like to start again, but I don't know if I have the bandwidth for it not being available.

Got my drugs yesterday, hoorah!!
So pleased I didn't have to travel all over county to different pharmacies.