Why isn't there a Utrogestan shortage outside the UK?

[Bayleaf4]

Despite the Government's "assurance" last month that women would be assured access to a continuous supply of Utrogestan 100mg tablets, I'm finding it impossible to find any and have been told by my GP pharmacist that this situation is likely to last for months.

I'm progesterone sensitive and want to avoid synthetic progesterone for this reason and also because of its enhanced risk of DVT etc.and loss of beneficial effects on cholesterol and carbohydrate metabolism. The only alternative my GP practice is giving me is to give up HRT!

I Googled the situation in Germany and found no end of suppliers there with the drug seemingly being manufactured by several German based companies. So why is it that we're being given to believe that the only manufacturer is Besins Healthcare? Why isn't the Government taking steps to source the drug from elsewhere?

I was told that signing up to the bigger online dispensaries (such as Pharmacy2U) gave you a better chance of obtaining HRT. I’ve had fewer problems since doing that. See what your surgery suggests as online option.

I was told their purchasing power was greater, therefore they got the drugs.

I once drove a combination of 54 miles to get a paper HRT patch prescription… and still didn’t find any. (It occurred during the pandemic when NO pharmacies picked up the phone… hence my need to drive). 🤬

@PoopySalata a friend did, last month. Took in a box with a prescription label from the Uk, the pharmacy didn’t have it in stock but got it the next day. I think she got 6 months worth and said it was cheap - we don’t pay for prescriptions in scotland but I’m sure she said it was less than a fiver. She also bought estradot patches but those were more, about 19 euros a box. I speak Spanish so off to Google for prices - these are standard across all pharmacies in Spain.

There you go - a box of 30 for 5.81 euros. Most pharmacists in Spain will speak English at least a bit.

@GulesMeansRed thank you. I might go to Barcelona this weekend. Desperate time and all that.

I'll report back here if/when I go!

@Ohyeahwaitaminute it’s insane. I’ve signed up with pharmacies and sometimes I get things, sometimes I have to shop around. The last time my prescription was issued I couldn’t get any utrogestan at all, hence the Lutigest. I’m just sick of it, I’d honestly fly to Spain and pick up six months worth so I don’t have to stress for a while.

I'm due to start patches and Utrogestan. Morrisons pharmacy did say there is a shortage but they did manage to fulfill my 3 months prescription. I'm wondering if I should start it? What are your thought?

The big online pharmacies do generally have better supplies, but even they don't have Utrogestan 100mg atm.