'Chronic shortage' of HRT patches while Ozempic and antibiotics also in short supply

A menopause specialist pharmacist is worried that the supply of HRT patches will not match demand in January. File photo

HRT patches used by menopausal woman are in short supply with other vital medication including Ozempic and antibiotics for winter illnesses also out of stock, latest data show.

Shortages of HRT are one reason why it is “unrealistic” to begin offering this medicine for free from January, pharmacists have warned.

In all, around 300 types of medication are in short supply in Irish pharmacies despite European plans to address this crisis. Some medications targeting ADHD also remain out of stock.

While alternatives can be prescribed in some cases, frustration is growing for patients. Some are given half-month supplies and told to return for more while others have to return to GPs or psychiatrists for new prescriptions.

Victoria Jones, menopause specialist pharmacist, warned: “There has been incredible shortages in HRT over the last two years and there is a chronic shortage at the moment.” 

In her own north Dublin pharmacy, she said: “We’re having to limit women to one per month and now I’m down to the last couple (of HRT products) while I’m waiting for more stock to arrive.” 

Laura Dowling, pharmacist and Irish Examiner columnist, said she has seen the “stress and upset” shortages are causing for women.

She said:

I’ve known women to phone 16 pharmacies in one day to try and find the HRT they are currently on.

Ms Jones is worried that supply will not match demand in January. 

Referring to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, she said: “He has not given us any details of how this is going to work, where is the medication coming from?” 

This week the Irish Pharmacy Union wrote to the Department of Health saying: “Plans to introduce this initiative from January are unrealistic.”

With only eight weeks to go, they said it is “surprising and disappointing the Department of Health has yet to formally engage with the IPU” on the details.

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They were critical of the scheme being promoted as “free HRT” when pharmacy fees have not been removed for women. This will cause confusion, they predicted.

They also raised questions about the type of HRT which will be covered. 

Ms Dowling, on her Instagram account, called for shortages to be addressed saying "free HRT for everyone while it is absolutely welcome is only going to increase demand”. 

She called for the government to "come to the table", saying: "We need to have all the stakeholders around the table for robust, forthright and honest conversations because otherwise there are going to be serious problems.” 

A department spokesman said they are “aware that medicines shortages can cause stress for patients and healthcare professionals”.

Solutions for general shortages are being worked on through a framework involving manufacturers as well as healthcare and patient groups.

In relation to HRT, he said shortages of Estradot patches are “due to a manufacturing delay which is impacting upon multiple countries”.

Shortages of Everoal patches are due to “an unexpected increase in demand”, he added.