“I’ve known women to call 16 pharmacies in a single day just to find the HRT they’re prescribed”

Pharmacists warn that the HRT supply issue is one of several reasons why the government’s plan to make HRT free for women starting in January may be “unrealistic.” 

Other high-demand medications, such as those for managing ADHD, remain difficult to access, adding to frustrations.

For many patients, these shortages mean frequent pharmacy visits to pick up limited quantities or return to their GPs for alternative prescriptions. 

Menopause specialist pharmacist, Victoria Jones told the Irish Examiner that the lack of available HRT products has intensified in recent years, creating what she describes as a “chronic shortage.” 

At her north Dublin pharmacy, she’s currently rationing HRT supplies, limiting each patient to one-month doses as stock levels dwindle.

Laura Dowling, pharmacist and columnist, has witnessed firsthand the “stress and upset” that women experience trying to access HRT. 

“I’ve known women to call 16 pharmacies in a single day just to find the HRT they’re prescribed,” she said.

Both Jones and Dowling worry that the current supply chain won’t be able to keep up with an expected surge in demand when HRT becomes free in January. 

Jones highlighted that, with just weeks until the rollout, there’s been little clarity from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on how this initiative will be supplied. 

“Where is the medication coming from?” she questioned.

In a letter to the Department of Health, the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) called the January target “unrealistic” and expressed disappointment that the Department had yet to speak with them on logistics. 

They also criticised the “free HRT” messaging, explaining that pharmacy dispensing fees for women haven’t been waived, which they predict could cause confusion. 

The IPU also raised concerns about which specific HRT types would be covered.

The Department of Health responded by acknowledging the stress that shortages place on both patients and healthcare providers. 

They are working on solutions through a framework that involves manufacturers and patient advocacy groups, with the aim of stabilising supply for critical medications. 

In particular, the shortage of Estradot patches is linked to manufacturing delays affecting multiple countries, while increased demand has contributed to shortages of Everol patches.

With winter approaching and healthcare demands rising, the need for a coordinated approach to medication supply is more pressing than ever.

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