Friday 16 August 2019
The Committee for Health & Social Care has been made aware that a major supplier of Hormone Replacement Therapy products is experiencing very low stocks.
This has been an ongoing problem for suppliers over the past few months, affecting patients in the UK and Europe as well as Guernsey.
Patients who find they are no longer able to access the products they currently use are being advised to speak to their GP in the first instance, who will be able to discuss alternative courses of treatment.
The lack of availability is being caused by a combination of manufacturing shortages and other supply issues. Some of these are long-running issues and it is worth noting they are not related to the UK's preparations to leave the European Union.
Ed Freestone, Chief Pharmacist for the Committee for Health & Social Care, said:
"We have a great deal of sympathy for those who are being affected by the HRT shortage and we know this is far from ideal. Unfortunately we are being caught up in what is a Europe-wide issue. The best thing to do is to go to your GP to discuss alternatives, as the appropriate alternative will vary from patient to patient."
The British Menopause Society has published updated advice on HRT supply shortages which can be found at thebms.org.uk.
