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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:
Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 14:05

The thing is switching the type you’re on isn’t always as easy as implied, some women can only tolerate certain types for whatever reason. The effect, regardless of if it was just patches, is then felt with other types as women are switched and the fact remains, this has been a continuous problem since 2018, in part caused by an increase in prescriptions. I’m not sure what timescale for increase you think is reasonable but unless the prescriptions suddenly and massively increased overnight, I do not expect women on it for years to suddenly be without it. I also think prescribing new patients when there’s not enough supply is not acceptable and there was a definite communication problem between NHS & suppliers. You don’t suddenly increase prescriptions without making sure you have the supply for them.

Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 14:06

So nothing to do with the government. Nothing to do with pharmaceuticals. So what is it?

JinglingSpringbells · 23/03/2023 15:36

Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 14:06

So nothing to do with the government. Nothing to do with pharmaceuticals. So what is it?

I said that pharma are struggling to increase their supplies as fast as needed as it takes time.

Did you read what I posted about how it takes the pharma companies time to increase demand? (A few posts back.)

Scroll down here to find the statement from Besins on supply.
https://thebms.org.uk/news/british-menopause-society-update-on-hrt-supply/

This explains the increased demand.

[[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/apr/26/manufacturers-struggle-to-keep-up-with-soaring-demand-for-hrt

British Menopause Society update on HRT supply

Last updated: 21 March 2023 The British Menopause Society has issued an update on HRT supply to provide guidance to BMS members and clinical practitioners on the current availability of HRT products.Prescribers should consider using equivalent preparat...

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

Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 15:51

Yes, I regularly read the BMS updates and I already read the guardian report. Neither explain the reason for Utrogestan shortage now. At this time. You seem very keen to absolve suppliers of any responsibility and I don’t think I’ve blamed them. Like I said earlier, prescribing has to be done in communication with suppliers. Women on it long term are suffering more because a significant number were prescribed suddenly and it shouldn’t happen like that. But of course all of this sudden increase is because why? Because the NHS were not addressing women’s needs for so long. They know how many women are over 40 and what percentage may need HRT so there is a complete lack of management and care of women’s health that has led to a completely chaotic and sudden demand that can’t be met.

jisudye · 23/03/2023 19:32

Sorry to sound thick.
I thought this utrogestan shortage was sorted in February.
Why's it still dragging on right now?
Thanks

jisudye · 23/03/2023 19:34

I'd come off HRT with all this hassle if I was not "addicted to progesterone" let me explain, once a lady, like me has become dependent on benzodiazepines, which are cross tolerant with progesterone, while non benzodiazepine dependent women can stop progesterone if they want to, stopping or changing for me, would result in dangerous consequences. If I'd have known this before going on HRT I would never have gone on. I intensely dislike, (probably the same as many others) being beholden to some supplier/pharmacist.

jisudye · 23/03/2023 19:55

Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 12:20

I haven’t read this whole thread but just rang my pharmacy to place an order, they’re attached to my surgery in the midlands, and I have never ever had to worry before but they are struggling with both evorel and there is NO UTROGESTAN and she hasn’t been able to get it for a month. She told me she was told: there’s none in the country. That’s todays update. I then went to Newson who initially put me on it and I stay with just for testosterone, and thank god, and they have it with no issues and I could order 3 months. I’m on day 4 of a pack now so I’ll have 4 months to worry and hope this doesn’t get worse. I’ve written to my MP, I suggest everyone does this. I know it’s a pain but if we don’t put huge pressure on them, it won’t be resolved. I really really encourage everyone to write letters, go to MP surgery hours, write to the manufacturers directly ( I’ve done this before ) and don’t stop until they completely and finally resolve the HRT issue. It is ridiculous it has gone on so long but we all must get active to force this change, don’t rely on celebrity pressure please. Please be as active as you have energy for.

Could people be catastrophising?
I had to wait, when I last ordered it, in Feb, due to the last shortage, but Besins are sorting it out now.
More demand=manufacture more, no silly stock problems :)

Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 19:58

Could people be catastrophising?

Who? My pharmacist? You think they gave supply and are lying? I’m not sure what you mean.

jisudye · 23/03/2023 19:58

Whaeanui · 23/03/2023 12:59

no It’s not going to happen quickly but this has been ongoing for some years hasn’t it? Since 2018? With them only addressing it recently by creating a task force and tsar? So I really can’t say I understand why it’s taken this long. If Estrogen was in short supply in 2018 and had to be increased, then so would progesterone.

It's caused by humans behaving silly, or more sinister, power hungry, knowing women need it to live a quality life. I wish I had never gone on HRT. See my above post for why I cannot just stop.

jisudye · 23/03/2023 20:00

JinglingSpringbells · 23/03/2023 13:13

It hasn't gone on for years.

I've used it for 9 years and it's only Dec/ January that I heard of any issues, when I was coming close to needing my next batch.

There were no issues with gel either in 2018. Off and on there have been a few minor issues, that were to do with the production of the pumps (some issues with some part of the pump.)

I'd got my previous supply of Utrogestan in August last year and there were no problems at all.

Show quote history

I think she means not just Utrogestan, the silliness with the oestrogen as well.

Whaeanui · 25/03/2023 13:10

Just heard from Newsons pharmacy, CloudRx, they can’t fulfil my Utrogestan despite taking £50 for it. The protected date is 2 weeks

JinglingXmasbells · 25/03/2023 13:13

Whaeanui · 25/03/2023 13:10

Just heard from Newsons pharmacy, CloudRx, they can’t fulfil my Utrogestan despite taking £50 for it. The protected date is 2 weeks

predicted date?

Do you have enough to tide you over?

If you can get hold of a paper prescription you can take that anywhere and some pharmacy may have it.

Whaeanui · 25/03/2023 13:15

I have enough for a month. It’s the not knowing when I can get it that’s the problem. They shouldn’t have taken the money. I’ll go back to my GP for my evorel and explain to them in case they get some within the next two weeks so I don’t have to pay Newsons pharmacy. It’s such a pain!

Strongbeatsskinny · 26/03/2023 08:57

Whaeanui · 25/03/2023 13:10

Just heard from Newsons pharmacy, CloudRx, they can’t fulfil my Utrogestan despite taking £50 for it. The protected date is 2 weeks

I’m now panicking as my private doctor also uses the same pharmacy CloudRx I was just happy that they delivered to my house without me stressed about things being difficult to get hold of in local chemist’s.
I’ve got my next appointment beginning of April hopefully stock will start to be replenished everywhere soon. It’s taken almost a year to find HRT products that work for me after a torrid time of it I certainly don’t want to be in the darkness of this time last year.

Whaeanui · 26/03/2023 08:58

I have 26 days left so I’m crossing everything!

JudyEdithPerry · 19/07/2023 00:29

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

greensa71 · 19/07/2023 06:28

I was told by Boots pharmacist that the Government is only allowing pharmacies to give out two boxes of Utrogestan at the moment, with my prescription I was due 3, so yes it would appear there is still a supply issue ☹️ I have boxes of Lenzetto spray coming out my ears it seems to last forever

Strongbeatsskinny · 19/07/2023 11:50

Chemists would only give me two boxes last month that was the only chemist’s I could find that had any in stock. Just ordered some more through my menopause specialist and was only allowed two boxes and had to have an alternative product for imvaggis because that’s nowhere to be found had a prescription sat in a chemist for over a month they are looking twice a day to see if it comes in stock. Praying that the alternative product suits me and feel fortunate that I could ask the specialist because my GP is useless when it comes to all things menopause.

JinglingSpringbells · 19/07/2023 12:33

Dr Louise Newson was saying on radio this week that the SSM review is due in August (think it's the 16th or 18th) and that is when they will decide if the limit of 2 boxes on 1 prescription can end.

She is putting pressure on the suppliers to try to alleviate the shortage.

SarahC50 · 19/07/2023 12:52

If anyone is in dire straits pm me their address I have three boxes of utrogestan that I am not going to use as it makes me anxious. Very happy to post to a lady in need x

JudyEdithPerry · 19/07/2023 22:24

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

JudyEdithPerry · 19/07/2023 22:41

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Tremaine · 19/07/2023 23:23

@SarahC50- this is such a kind offer, thank you ☺️ Will pm you in case you can still spare a box.

TheDogsMother · 20/07/2023 22:29

greensa71 · 19/07/2023 06:28

I was told by Boots pharmacist that the Government is only allowing pharmacies to give out two boxes of Utrogestan at the moment, with my prescription I was due 3, so yes it would appear there is still a supply issue ☹️ I have boxes of Lenzetto spray coming out my ears it seems to last forever

Me too. I ordered via the app and one of the pharmacists called me to say two months supply only. I get the Oestrogel in three month supplies so I think this is going to cause issues with future prescription requests.

jisudye · 21/07/2023 13:17

JinglingSpringbells · 19/07/2023 12:33

Dr Louise Newson was saying on radio this week that the SSM review is due in August (think it's the 16th or 18th) and that is when they will decide if the limit of 2 boxes on 1 prescription can end.

She is putting pressure on the suppliers to try to alleviate the shortage.

That's good news, I can't wait till I can get off HRT, more hassle than it's worth for me.