The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Utrogestan 100mg capsules, a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) across the United Kingdom.
“This will allow pharmacists to dispense a maximum of two months’ supply per prescription to help ensure continued access for women who use this popular medicine to help manage symptoms of the menopause,” said DHSC.
Utrogestan is used to treat menopausal symptoms, is expected to be in intermittent supply until late 2023.
Besins, the manufacturer of the medicine has been struggling to meet the rising demand. DHSC said: “The manufacturer is taking steps to increase supply, but in the meantime the SSP will support access to available stock.”
Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: “Today’s decisive action will mean more women will be able to access this medicine, and I want to reassure women that the vast majority of HRT products are in good supply.
The overall supply of HRT products has improved considerably over the last year and I am encouraged by how industry is responding to the growth in demand and our continued calls for action to boost supply to meet it.
We continue working to help ensure continuity of supply – which is a key part of increasing support for menopausal and pre-menopausal women and improving their quality of life.”
