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Original poster

Utrogestan capsules - supply issues

229 replies

starlilly88 · 22/11/2022 17:30

I can't find these anywhere, one Boots said they might get some end of November. I need to try and talk to my GP again but does anyone know of an alternative, or what happens if you stop taking them? I have been on oestrogel, about to switch to patches which I can get

OP posts:
jisudye · 11/02/2023 13:47

I just found this new link and will have a read, I hope it doesn't make me or anyone else paranoid they won't be able to get hold if it.
To me, increased demand = manufacture more of it = more money for Besins.
They that this rigmarole with oestrogel, but as far as I know, that problem is ironed out now.

jisudye · 11/02/2023 13:48

Whoops I didn't put the link in www.onstella.com/the-latest/hrt/utrogestan-shortage/

HundredMilesAnHour · 11/02/2023 14:01

jisudye · 11/02/2023 13:42

I heard Besin's saying the end of January, and that it would filter down to chemists eventually.
My chemist boots, told me that, while they have stock in at the moment, supply is patchy and they cannot tell what the future holds, not their words, but their message.

I got the impression, all is back to normal, utrogestan wise, but boots cannot predict future problems.

What chemist do you use?

I hope it's not a nightmare, but it's easy to over worry, I certainly did.

Where did you get the information about it becoming available on 13th February? Do you have a link?
I don't know why they just don't manufacture more.

Show quote history

The date is on Besins website under Product Supply Status.

None of the chemists, including multiple branches of Boots, in my part of London have any Utrogestan at the moment and things are far from normal.

Camdenish · 11/02/2023 14:13

I got utogestron from a Day Lewis pharmacy in London. Try Day Lewis.

jisudye · 11/02/2023 18:14

Camdenish · 11/02/2023 14:13

I got utogestron from a Day Lewis pharmacy in London. Try Day Lewis.

Thanks, I just did a search for utrogestan on their site and found no results.

jisudye · 11/02/2023 19:09

HundredMilesAnHour · 11/02/2023 14:01

The date is on Besins website under Product Supply Status.

None of the chemists, including multiple branches of Boots, in my part of London have any Utrogestan at the moment and things are far from normal.

Show quote history

Thanks I saw their pdf, I think Feb 23 is the vaginal capsules.

blahblonk · 11/02/2023 19:42

Thanks, will try them!

blahblonk · 11/02/2023 19:45

Which day Lewis pharmacy was it? I am in London and run out in 3 days :(

hellswelshy · 13/02/2023 17:05

Sigh. After a good 6 months with no issues, suddenly no Utrogestran in my local Boots. They have said possibly nothing till next week! The online stock checker isn't working.. looks like I will be ringing different branches in the morning 😒

blahblonk · 13/02/2023 18:06

hellswelshy · 13/02/2023 17:05

Sigh. After a good 6 months with no issues, suddenly no Utrogestran in my local Boots. They have said possibly nothing till next week! The online stock checker isn't working.. looks like I will be ringing different branches in the morning 😒

The Boots online stock checker was useless when I was on last month’s quest for patches. Was never up to date and so had a frustrating wait at two places only to be told they had none. Muswell Hill and Wood Green and Liverpool St were the more helpful on the phone.

hellswelshy · 13/02/2023 19:08

So frustrating isn't it blahblonk ? I feel really quite stressed about it! But yes agree, phones is the more reliable option. I'll report back!

GetOffTheTableMabel · 19/02/2023 14:51

I have some that I am happy to post to someone who’s stuck. I switched to Mirena coil about 18 months ago. There was no problem with supply at that point and I had recently bought several months supply on a private prescription. They’re just sitting in a draw….

HundredMilesAnHour · 19/02/2023 15:09

GetOffTheTableMabel · 19/02/2023 14:51

I have some that I am happy to post to someone who’s stuck. I switched to Mirena coil about 18 months ago. There was no problem with supply at that point and I had recently bought several months supply on a private prescription. They’re just sitting in a draw….

Ooh yes please, if you don't mind! I ran out yesterday and still haven't been able to get any. My GP won't prescribe anything else because of my breast cancer risk. I'll PM you @GetOffTheTableMabel

WarriorNun · 20/02/2023 19:02

Maria Caulfield claims there's stock in the U.K. and yet everyone seems to be having issues

twitter.com/menoscandal/status/1627004573628989440?s=46&t=KRVCmKh_NqeIhGCGdB0L2g

VooVooV · 20/02/2023 21:54

Interesting that, @WarriorNun
I was prescribed it (on a PP cos I couldn’t get a bloody appt with my own GP) on 9 Feb and my prescription is just sitting there, waiting to be dispensed, due to ‘supply issues.’

jisudye · 20/02/2023 22:32

WarriorNun · 20/02/2023 19:02

Maria Caulfield claims there's stock in the U.K. and yet everyone seems to be having issues

twitter.com/menoscandal/status/1627004573628989440?s=46&t=KRVCmKh_NqeIhGCGdB0L2g

Sorry to sound cynical, could she be fobbing people off?

WarriorNun · 21/02/2023 07:14

Haven't a clue but it's clear there are issues and I fear it's getting worse based on threads here and on fb. But they dispensed with the meno tsar as she claimed it was all hunky dory Hmm

JinglingSpringbells · 21/02/2023 08:07

jisudye · 20/02/2023 22:32

Sorry to sound cynical, could she be fobbing people off?

Show quote history

You could try writing to Maria Caulfield who is a health minister. She has replied to Kate Muir's tweet and says she will look into this. I don't know if she is a new 'men' tsar' but she quotes 70 types of hrt are still available. Not much good if it's not the ones we use!

Sadly, I think this is genuinely about supply outstripping demand. There was a huge uptake in Utrogestan last year. When I first used it, 8 years ago, some pharmacies had to order it in as they rarely dispensed it. But there was never a delay.

Maybe it will settle down again. There are more women using it, but equally, many of those (from posts here) don't get on with it. It's become the default offering, for various reasons, but it doesn't suit all women.

JinglingSpringbells · 21/02/2023 08:07

*men tsar- hmmm! Meno tsar.

WarriorN · 21/02/2023 09:42

Stock issues were on 5 live today.

The thing is that it appears to be across many commonly used products right now.

HRT issues on bbc 5 live www.mumsnet.com/Talk/menopause/4747634-hrt-issues-on-bbc-5-live

ninja · 21/02/2023 10:42

The pharmacist suggested I asked the doctor to prescribe Prevera instead - anyone know anything about it?

jisudye · 21/02/2023 12:39

JinglingSpringbells · 21/02/2023 08:07

You could try writing to Maria Caulfield who is a health minister. She has replied to Kate Muir's tweet and says she will look into this. I don't know if she is a new 'men' tsar' but she quotes 70 types of hrt are still available. Not much good if it's not the ones we use!

Sadly, I think this is genuinely about supply outstripping demand. There was a huge uptake in Utrogestan last year. When I first used it, 8 years ago, some pharmacies had to order it in as they rarely dispensed it. But there was never a delay.

Maybe it will settle down again. There are more women using it, but equally, many of those (from posts here) don't get on with it. It's become the default offering, for various reasons, but it doesn't suit all women.

Show quote history

I would write to mrs Caulfield, but I don't fancy getting fobbed off.
Demand is outstripping supply, to me, simple, manufacture more of them.

jisudye · 21/02/2023 12:40

WarriorNun · 21/02/2023 07:14

Haven't a clue but it's clear there are issues and I fear it's getting worse based on threads here and on fb. But they dispensed with the meno tsar as she claimed it was all hunky dory Hmm

Dispensed? what do you mean?
To me, it is simple, there is now more demand, do manufacturers should makes more, it will make them more money too, everyone happy.

JinglingSpringbells · 21/02/2023 13:48

Maria Caulfield is the health minister for women and her name is on the recent document about one annual fee for HRT. In her Tweet she said Utrogestan was available in some regions of the UK but not others and she queried why. Maybe she's mistaken or it's available where there is little demand.

BigButtons · 21/02/2023 14:14

JinglingSpringbells · 21/02/2023 13:48

Maria Caulfield is the health minister for women and her name is on the recent document about one annual fee for HRT. In her Tweet she said Utrogestan was available in some regions of the UK but not others and she queried why. Maybe she's mistaken or it's available where there is little demand.

unfortunately she is my MP. She is utterly shit.