What action is the Welsh Government taking to mitigate against the global hormone replacement therapy shortage?
Maintaining the continuity of supply of medicines to the UK is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of the UK Government. However, managing the implications of any supply disruptions requires co-ordinated action between the UK and devolved governments and the NHS. My officials are working closely with their counterparts in the UK Government, as well as manufacturers, wholesalers, prescribers, and pharmacies to mitigate the effect of any disruption.
The extensive measures taken by the Welsh and UK governments to support pharmacists, prescribers and patients to manage HRT shortages were set out by the former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in a written statement in October 2023: https://www.gov.wales/written-statement-disruptions-supply-medicines
A range of Serious Shortage Protocols (SSP) for HRT medicines were put in place last year allowing pharmacists to supply clinically appropriate alternative HRT when those prescribed were unavailable, without the need for people to return to their prescriber. All of these SSPs have now been withdrawn reflecting improved availability of HRT medicines.
Occasionally, the NHS experiences temporary shortages of specific medicines. Such disruptions are unsettling to all those who have been prescribed these medicines. GPs and community pharmacies are informed of these disruptions by way of a medicines shortage letter, which provides advice about the mitigating actions that need to be taken during the supply disruption.
There are currently known supply issues for two HRT products:
FemSeven Sequi patches – anticipated re-supply date January 2025
Indivina 1mg/2.5mg tablets – anticipated re-supply date October 2024
NHS Wales has been informed of the supply disruption to these HRT products and been advised of mitigating actions. A number of alternative HRT preparations are available and anyone who is having difficulty obtaining any treatment should contact their doctor or pharmacist to discuss a suitable alternative.
The Welsh Government’s medicines shortages web page provides general advice on why shortages occur and how they are managed: https://www.gov.wales/medicines-shortages-0 and https://www.llyw.cymru/prinder-meddyginiaethau-0