Menopause drug Lenzetto returns to Spanish pharmacies in November

By Rafael Salido & Christina Thykjaer Published on 07/10/2026 - 16:20 GMT+2 Lenzetto, one of the hormone therapies most widely used to relieve menopausal symptoms, will once again be available in Spanish pharmacies from the second half of November, its manufacturer Gedeon Richter has confirmed to Euronews. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT "We anticipate the product will be available in pharmacies from the second half of November," the pharmaceutical company said in response to questions from Euronews. Gedeon Richter says it will do "everything possible" to guarantee a stable level of production for the rest of the year and in 2027, although it acknowledges that global supply restrictions could prevent it from fully meeting existing demand. The company traces the origin of the current shortage of the medicine in Spain to the sharp increase in demand for hormone treatments for menopause in Europe. In an email, the company explained that growth has been far higher than expected and that both manufacturing capacity and the supply of the device used to administer Lenzetto, the applicator, have been unable to keep pace with rising demand. Gedeon Richter stresses that "the situation is temporary" and that it "is not related to any quality or safety issue with the medicine". The problem, according to the company, is simply that high demand has outstripped its manufacturing capacity. To increase the availability of its medicine, the laboratory says it is maximising its current production capacity and working to expand both the number of suppliers and the manufacturing options. It is also seeking to improve the supply of applicators and to increase its production capacity, among other measures. These plans include a new plant and a new production line. In Romania, Gedeon Richter has also launched a specific investment project to strengthen its manufacturing capacity. The company warns, however, that expanding pharmaceutical production takes time because of quality controls. The company also acknowledges that the measures taken will not resolve the situation overnight. It says it is therefore working to ensure the changes allow it to improve supply as quickly as possible. A problem affecting other markets The shortage of Lenzetto does not only affect Spain. Gedeon Richter confirms that there is currently a global shortage of the medicine, although the severity of the problems varies between markets depending on local demand, forecasting capacity and logistical possibilities. The situation has for months made it difficult to obtain some hormone treatments used to relieve menopausal symptoms. The lack of Lenzetto forced patients and health professionals to resort to other estradiol products, which eventually created a domino effect for some of the alternative treatments. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also identified the shortage of Lenzetto and is analysing possible coordinated measures at European level. In Spain, the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (Aemps) has also reported supply problems affecting other medicines, such as Evopad, Estradot and Bijuva. "The supply problem began in April with Lenzetto and has subsequently affected other transdermal hormone therapies such as patches and gels," Aemps said in a statement (source in Spanish) released in early October. "The Ministry of Health has been in contact with the holders of other hormone treatment options that are currently not reimbursed, in order to explore their possible inclusion in the pharmaceutical services provided by the National Health System." Richter responds to Aemps criticism Aemps has said that some of the supply forecasts previously communicated by Gedeon Richter "have not always been accurate" and that it was not informed in sufficient time about interruptions that could affect the continuous supply of the medicine. Asked by Euronews about these remarks, the company does not respond directly to the accusations, but says it maintains "close contact" with Aemps and works "in a collaborative way" with the agency to address the situation. Gedeon Richter also says it has improved its forecasting systems in response to demand it describes as "unprecedented" and that it continues to provide information to the authorities as new data become available. The laboratory does not, however, guarantee a full recovery of supply in the short term. The company says its aim is to be able consistently to meet patient demand from the second half of 2027.