HRT Shortages – British Menopause Society Update

The British Menopause Society have published a helpful update on current availability of HRT products in the UK – including the following notes:

There have been availability issues with many HRT products. Some of these are related to manufacturing shortages, while others are related to supply issues. The BMS has been reassured that these are temporary shortages which pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers are trying to resolve.

In the meantime, prescribers can consider equivalent preparations that provide a similar dose to what their patient is using. If an exact match is not possible, prescribers can seek guidance available on the practical prescribing chart on the BMS website and Menopause Matters website, to clarify equivalent doses.

Consideration could also be given to prescribing estrogen and progestogen separately to make the closest match or find a suitable alternative.

Different brands for the same medication may vary in appearance or excipients. However, they would provide equivalent amounts of hormones when used in similar doses.