Is there still a 3 month limit on pharmacy supply of Oestrogel?

[WombatChocolate]

Hi. I understood the restrictions expired at the end of July, but am not sure if they have been renewed/extended. Does anyone know? Has anyone been able to get a longer prescription fulfilled in last few weeks? And if the restrictions are still in place, does anyone know if there is a date they end?

Thanks v much,

Just found the answer…in case anyone is interested. It has been extended to end Oct.

And the HRT task force has been disbanded. Info is on GP Pulse website and Pharmacist website.

They say UK supply in July was double that of earlier months….but there are still shortages and longer term capacity hasn’t been built yet as supplies fly off the shelves as soon as they are in.

Maybe the 3-month limit is a good thing? I have read here of some women getting 6 months' worth which seems unfair when others are going without.
I don't blame them, but it's the system because some GPs seem to issue repeats prescriptions before they are needed.

Yes, the shortages are the problem.
The NICE guidelines and training to GPs now make clear that after a woman has been an a prescribed HRT without problems for 3 months, GPs can issue prescriptions to cover a year. Many have been unaware this is the case and some only prescribed for a month as a time causing huge inconvenience as well as cost for many women - a real barrier to uptake.

For those who aren’t using products restricted by the SSP limiting them to 3 months currently due to shortages, it’s worth knowing if you’re having a review with your GP. For those on the restricted products, the NICE guidelines and indeed the new 1-charge per year per item due in April, will be irrelevant in terms of receiving a yearly prescription, if the supply just isn’t there, but hopefully they will find a way to stop women paying multiple charges anyway.

In Wales even on long term prescription we can only be prescribed 30 days. It's highly frustrating, feel like I'm at the chemist all the time.

Despite being prescribed Oestrogel last year I have never, ever managed to obtain any from a pharmacy. Not a single drop. I'm in a 'normal' part of the UK and it's bonkers.

I'm glad for the women who getting a year's worth though if they have to pay for prescriptions. When I do get my HRT (usually patches) the GP invariably only gives me 4-8 weeks which is incredibly inconvenient as he knows I have a disability that's keeping me indoors whingeing away.

Article about HRT and guidelines on prescription length.

www.dispensingdoctor.org/news/gps-urged-to-prescribe-12-months-of-hrt/

I got 9 bottles (3 months worth) in the first London pharmacy I walked into with my prescription in early July, which was surprising as I had set aside a day to trudge around london filling it. I may just have been lucky but he said that he had been able to get more supplies in recent weeks. I had tried 3 oxford pharmacies without success.