The crisis with the supply of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) must be resolved quickly because “so many women” experience distress and some risk serious side effects by using drugs prescribed by others, warned the UK’s oldest general practitioner.
There is an acute shortage of some HRT products used by around 1 million women in the UK to treat menopausal symptoms. Some women have turned to the black market or met with other women in parking lots to buy, exchange, or share drugs.
Prof. Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, told the Guardian that urgent action was needed to resolve the crisis. “The college is concerned to see supply problems around HRT provision, and we understand the suffering this is causing to so many women,” he said. “It is really important that this is resolved as soon as possible.
“We hear that the supply problem is specific to England, as there is a big increase in demand for estrogen, especially transdermal, which we use. There is not the same problem with the supply of some of the other oral preparations, which are suitable for many women in the United Kingdom and give good relief of symptoms. “
Thousands of GPs across the country have been informed of what products are available to help women who may need to be prescribed a replacement, Marshall said.
However, he also expressed concern about women sharing HRT products with others struggling to get medication as a result of supply problems. “While we appreciate the seriousness of the current situation and the frustration that women are experiencing, we urge them not to share HRT drugs, as this could lead to serious side effects.
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The Guardian revealed on Monday that supply shortages are so severe that some women have been forced to travel hundreds of miles in search of HRT products.
Health experts are increasingly concerned about the growing impact of the problem on women’s physical and mental health.
“The impact of HRT deficiency on so many women cannot and should not be underestimated,” said Dr. Martin Kinsella, a hormone expert. “I have heard of women who buy HRT on the black market and thus put their own safety at risk, as well as some whose mental health and physical health have suffered greatly as a result of this shortage.
Dee Murray, CEO and founder of Menopause Experts, said: “HRT deficiencies cause stress and potential harm to women, with some forced to take matters into their own hands and seek supplies online. This can have a devastating effect on their health, as HRT should only be prescribed by qualified doctors who understand the patient’s history.
Sajid Javid was called upon to change the law to allow pharmacists to change prescriptions during drug shortages. Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, told the Guardian community that Guardian community pharmacists should be able to dispense prescription-only medicines without having to contact the prescribing – usually GP – each time . At present, the law in England stipulates that they must provide only the exact recipe.
Javid, the health minister, said he was “determined” to resolve the crisis and intended to use the lessons learned during the implementation of the Covid-19 vaccine, as well as appoint a HRT supply manager.
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