US estrogen supply faces shortages amid rising demand

Women in the United States are experiencing difficulties accessing hormone replacement therapies, including estradiol patches, injections, and vaginal creams. While the FDA maintains that the supply of approved estradiol patches has nearly doubled over the past year and does not officially classify them as being in shortage, pharmacy reports and clinical monitors suggest otherwise.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has flagged multiple brands and dosages of estrogen patches since January, and has also listed several estradiol injection products and vaginal creams as being on backorder or allocation. This scarcity has reportedly caused a ripple effect, with patients switching between different forms of the hormone, further straining the supply of alternative products.

Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs reported that demand for products on its platform has surged five-to-tenfold due to low pricing. The increased demand for hormone replacement therapy follows the FDA’s previous removal of a boxed warning regarding certain risks associated with the treatment. Three U.S. senators have requested that the FDA clarify its criteria for declaring a drug shortage by November 16.