Sweden launches portal to combat estrogen medication shortages

The Swedish Medical Products Agency is launching a digital portal to help healthcare providers locate estrogen medications that are approved in other countries but currently unavailable on the Swedish market. This initiative aims to address long-standing shortages of hormone replacement therapies, such as gels, sprays, and patches, which have forced many women to seek medication through special licenses.

Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed stated that the portal is intended to ensure all doctors have equal access to information regarding available products, rather than leaving individual patients to search for medication themselves. While these medicines can be prescribed via license, access has previously varied significantly across the country.

In addition to the supply issues, political figures have criticized the current situation, noting that women are often forced to travel long distances or plan trips around medication availability. There are also calls for better systemic support and education regarding menopause in both healthcare and the workplace to prevent women from leaving the workforce due to untreated symptoms.