[REVISION HISTORY]

Global and regional hormone replacement therapy shortages

10 recorded revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-11-03 17:01 UTC → 2026-11-04 12:15 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications, specifically estrogen and progesterone, continues to create significant healthcare access challenges. In the United States, the scarcity of estrogen patches followed an FDA decision to remove black box labeling, which increased market demand and forced patients to ration medication or travel long distances to find supplies. Experts suggest this US shortage could persist for months or years. In Spain, the shortage that began with the estradiol spray Lenzetto has expanded to other estradiol-based preparations, including Evopad, Estradot, and Bijuva. The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) has announced measures to address the scarcity. Supply of Lenzetto is expected to begin recovering in mid-November, though full normalization may not occur until 2027. Evopad patches (25 and 50 microgram doses) are expected to return to supply on November 5, and Oestraclin gel replenishment is anticipated in the first week of November. While the manufacturer of Estradot will cease marketing the product once current stocks are exhausted, the AEMPS noted its limited market share should minimize the overall impact. To mitigate patient impact, the AEMPS has enabled access to limited units of Lenzetto as a foreign ~~medication, with pharmacists able to process requests through regional contact points for evaluation within 48 hours.~~ medication. In Sweden, ~~the government is preparing a plan to resolve~~ authorities report a ~~prolonged shortage~~ trend indicating that availability of ~~essential~~ estrogen medications, including ~~patches,~~ sprays, patches, and ~~gels. This crisis~~ gels, is beginning to improve. To encourage manufacturers to prioritize the Swedish market, the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) has ~~impacted thousands of women, driven by international demand outstripping supply. Despite a 60 percent price increase~~ approved higher prices for ~~generic manufacturer Sandoz earlier~~ these medications, though this ~~summer, pharmacy shelves remain empty, and officials have~~ results in higher costs for patients. The Swedish Medical Products Agency is investigating the possibility of domestic production, though only one actor has expressed ~~uncertainty regarding~~ interest. Tina Crafoord, Director of the ~~volumes required to meet current demand.~~ Medical Products Agency, noted that while the shortage is not yet fully resolved for certain forms, improvements should become more evident after the turn of the year.

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