NHS drug warning as ‘life-changing’ medicine used by MILLIONS faces more shortages – are you affected?

SHORTAGES of a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product used by millions may soon get worse, pharmacists have warned. Several different strengths of Estradot patches – a form of HRT used to combat menopause symptoms – have been in short supply since December 2024. Pharmacists have warned that shortages of an HRT product could continue and possibly even worsen Credit: Getty HRT prescriptions have more than doubled in the last five years, NHSBSA data shows Credit: PA But with the number of women now receiving HRT for menopause symptoms more than doubling in just five years, experts are worried that this will lead to further shortages of the drugs. New NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) data today revealed that two million women aged 40 and over were prescribed HRT in 2025/26. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Reacting to this figures, Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said: “This is very significant data and shows that a record number of women are accessing HRT support through the NHS.” But he warned that “these surges in prescriptions for particular products do have unintended short-term consequences for medicine supply to patients and can exacerbate medicine shortages that blight pharmacies on a daily basis.” Read more on drug shortages A serious shortage notice for Estradot 50, 75 and 100 microgram patches was first announced in December 2024, and the products have been in short supply ever since. And other strengths of Estradot have been hit by supply issues too. Estradot 25 microgram patches were added to the serious shortage protocol (SSP) list in April 2025. “Although supply for some HRT products are improving, shortages of certain strengths of Estradot are now some of the longest running of any medicine in NHS history,” Mr Picard continued. Most read in Health “When prescribing habits change, we must make sure supply chains can keep up or we risk worsening access to medicines for patients and put more pressure on over stretched pharmacy teams.” Prescriptions for HRT for women aged 40 and over rose from 800,000 in 2020/21 to two million in 2025/26, reaching “record levels”, according to the NHSBSA. Medicine shortages in England have reached a record high as pharmacists express concern Credit: PA The NPA have voiced worries that shortages of Estradot may be exacerbated Credit: Getty Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director in women’s health for NHS England, said: “Awareness of menopause has increased significantly in recent years, helping to encourage important conversations about women’s health and access to support. “The findings show that the number of women receiving NHS HRT prescribing continues to increase. “This reflects the growing demand for menopause care and the increasing awareness of treatment options available to women.” HRT helps treat menopause symptoms by replacing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which fall to low levels as women approach the menopause. This is not the first time pharmacists have issued a warning about possible medicine shortages. Last month the government extended the serious shortage notice for the blood pressure medication ramipril, making it the second time this year this has happened. Patients were warned that they will continue to only be supplied one month’s worth of the 1.25mg capsules at a time. Reacting to the news, Mr Picard told Sun Health: “We are concerned by this ongoing shortage, which is one of many shortages of medicines that pharmacies and their patients have had to grapple with in recent years. “Millions of patients rely on Ramipril and although there are alternative medicines available, supplies of these must be managed carefully by the government to ensure subsequent demand can be met. “The government should allow pharmacists to make appropriate substitutions to Ramipril prescriptions to ensure patients do not have to go back to their GP to find an alternative.” Also commenting on the situation, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), told The Sun: “The ongoing medicines supply issues are putting a lot of pressure on pharmacists as they need to spend hours trying to source alternatives or contact the prescriber to change the medicine.“ Shortages for Creon have also been extended recently, with the medicine being in shortage supply since May 2024. A serious shortage warning for the blood pressure medication ramipril was extended again last month Credit: Rex Features Creon has been in short supply since May 2024 and was expected to remain in place until July 10 Credit: Alamy Creon is given to people with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis and people with these conditions require Creon to be able to digest food as it helps to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Meanwhile, Sun Health reported in June that drug shortages had reached a record high in England with one pharmacist saying it was the “worst” he’d ever known. According to Community Pharmacy England, May was the “second consecutive month” where the number of medicines on the price concessions list reached “record highs”. Amid this situation, there are a handful of medications that are particularly at risk of facing supply issues – from certain beta-blockers to antidepressants. Speaking about drug supply issues more generally, Mr Picard said: “Pharmacies are increasingly facing supply problems affecting every day medicines on which millions rely every day, with some describing shortages as the worst they have ever experienced. “Whilst the medicine supply chain is complex, the rising problem of shortages across a wide range of medication is extremely worrying for patients and heartbreaking for pharmacists who go to great lengths to ensure they don’t turn them away. “Fragility in the global supply chain is worsened by international instability and this new government must convene an urgent taskforce to fully grip this chronic problem.” Comment now