Spain faces hormone replacement therapy shortage

A shortage of hormone replacement therapies (HRT) in Spain has prompted a citizen-led initiative to demand urgent action from the Ministry of Health. More than 25,000 signatures have been collected via Change.org to address the supply crisis of medications used to alleviate menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, insomnia, and fatigue.

Advocates note that current alternatives are often not covered by Social Security, creating financial barriers for many patients. The shortage specifically affects transdermal estradiol patches. While the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices has initiated talks with laboratories regarding non-funded hormonal treatments to potentially include them in the National Health System, no formal requests have been submitted by companies yet.

The Spanish Association for the Study of Menopause (AEEM) indicates that approximately eight million women in Spain experience physical and emotional symptoms during menopause. Patients have reported difficulties finding essential medication even in local pharmacies, leading to calls for more equitable territorial access and better preventive measures to ensure supply stability.