{"id":5883,"date":"2023-05-22T12:45:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T11:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.balance-menopause.com\/?post_type=menopauselibrary&p=5883"},"modified":"2024-04-18T16:11:17","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T15:11:17","slug":"hrt-supply-what-should-i-do-if-i-cant-get-my-usual-prescription","status":"publish","type":"menopauselibrary","link":"https:\/\/www.balance-menopause.com\/menopause-library\/hrt-supply-what-should-i-do-if-i-cant-get-my-usual-prescription\/","title":{"rendered":"HRT supply: what should I do if I can’t get my usual prescription?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

balance<\/em>\u2019s guide on what to do in the event of HRT supply issues<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the first line treatment for perimenopause and menopause symptoms, HRT is used by hundreds of thousands of women in the UK [1].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So when supply issues occur, it can understandably feel frustrating and unsettling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns around HRT supply were particularly acute in 2022, when it became more difficult to get hold of some products, particularly estrogen gel and some skin patches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was due to a number of factors, including a large rise in the number of women taking HRT: around 15% of women aged 45 to 64 in England are currently prescribed HRT, which has increased rapidly in the last two years from around 11% and continues to increase. [2].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the situation is fortunately much better now, the occasional supply issue still crops up for a particular type of HRT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is balance\u2019s guide to help you avoid any issues if your usual prescription items are not readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: Help \u2013 I\u2019ve forgotten to <\/a>t<\/a>ake my HRT!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leave enough time to order your HRT repeat prescription<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stockpiling your HRT isn\u2019t the answer, as this may help fuel shortages, but make sure you leave sufficient time when ordering your repeat prescription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hayley Berry, pharmacist with Newson Health, says that requesting a prescription when you have two or three weeks of supply left will give you time to sort out any problems if your normal product is not in stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access more HRT-related content here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try not to worry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re told there is an issue with your HRT product, don\u2019t worry and don\u2019t stop taking your current supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Remember that we have lots of different types and brands of HRT, so we can usually find a very similar product to the one that is hard to get hold of,\u2019 says Ms Berry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018HRT is really important to women who use it but don\u2019t panic, and don\u2019t be tempted to borrow supplies from a friend as you may not get exactly the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Healthcare professionals will work to find a suitable alternative for you.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be informed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you there is a supply issue with your normal brand, balance has this really useful list<\/a> where you can see the options for similar products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, there are six different brands of estrogen-only patches, all of which come in a range of strengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It can be useful to look at this list, then you will know if there are any on there that you have tried in the past and didn\u2019t get on with this,\u2019 says Ms Berry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018This is useful information for the GP, pharmacist or nurse who is helping you with an alternative.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: HRT prescription payment certificate: what you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supply of my usual HRT is low. Where should I turn to for help?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re alerted to a supply issue, you will probably need to see your normal prescriber to sort out an alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018This could be your GP, prescribing nurse or, sometimes, your pharmacist,\u2019 says Ms Berry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a small number of cases the government gives pharmacists special powers to allow them to substitute an item in low stock for another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The up-to-date list on medications subject to a serious shortage protocol can be viewed here on the NHS Business Services Authority website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Your prescriber will sort out a good alternative, and as long as you have left a bit of time before your supply runs out, there shouldn\u2019t be a difficulty sourcing your new medication,\u2019 Ms Berry says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. NICE (2015), \u2018Menopause: diagnosis and treatment\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Department of Health and Social Care (2023), \u2018Hundreds of thousands of women experiencing menopause symptoms to get cheaper HRT\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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