Medication taken by 2 million women in UK 'in short supply' update

Résumé détaillé

The National Pharmacy Association said the UK's price rules mean it's harder to source more supplies

Women on HRT medication have been notified of a key shortage of medications which is causing major issues in pharmacies across the UK. The National Pharmacy Association has said more than two million women received Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatment on the NHS last year.

HRT is a medical treatment that replenishes falling or fluctuating female hormones—primarily oestrogen and progesterone—during perimenopause and menopause. However the country has been hit by shortages, party caused by increasing prescriptions.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Sehar Shahid, NPA Board Member for Scotland, said some HRT treatments are in short supply, especially: “We know that the Estradot patches, for example, in all the strengths, remain in short supply, and there are other patches as well. But what we also need to understand that they’re not automatically dose equivalent. So you can’t just switch straightforwardly to something else.”

She explained that if there is a shortage, then the UK is worse served too because of the price controls on drugs, meaning other countries prepared to pay more get priority. Ms Shahid said: “The UK probably gets the medication the most cost-effectively, or the cheapest, compared to other countries.

“So when there is a shortage in any medication the UK is probably bottom of the list to get that medication because it tends to go to other countries perhaps where wholesalers or manufacturers can get sell on at a greater price. So the government really do need to strengthen our supply chains when it comes to medication because I think the UK is in the most vulnerable position.

“There’s also a demand um shifting between products. So for example, if one brand of formulation becomes unavailable, the prescribers are then switching patients alternatives. Of course, that’s the right thing to do. But that then can lead to putting additional pressures on those other formulations or brands as well.

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