HRT shortage increasing stress and raising risks, top GP warns

The hormone replacement therapy (HRT) supply crisis must be resolved quickly because “so many women” are experiencing distress and some are risking serious side effects by using medication prescribed to others, the UK's most senior GP has warned.

- Andrew Gregory

There have been acute shortages of some HRT products, which are used by about 1 million women in the UK to treat symptoms of the menopause. Some women have turned to the black market or are meeting up with other women in car parks to buy, swap or share medicines.

Prof Martin Marshall, the chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said action was required urgently. “The college is concerned to see supply issues around the provision of HRT, and we understand the distress this is causing to so many women. It is really important that this is resolved as quickly as possible.

"We are hearing that the supply issue is specific to England, as there has been a big rise in the demand for the oestrogen, particularly transdermal, we use. There is not the same problem with the supply of some of the other oral preparations which are appropriate for many women in the UK and give good symptom relief.”