Shortage of transdermal Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) patches

Information for patients- From TGA (Accessed 01/10/2025)

We understand the importance of a reliable supply of these medicines for the patients who use them. We also appreciate the concern and frustration these shortages have caused. 

Your pharmacist can tell you about the best way to get your medicines during these shortages. To help with supply, we have approved access to several overseas-registered versions of HRT patches.

Your pharmacist can order these alternative products by contacting the approval holders, whose contact details are available on the Section 19A approvals database. These overseas-registered alternatives are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - external site (PBS).

 

 

Unfortunately, as the limited global supply continues to fluctuate, we cannot predict with certainty which Australian-registered HRT patch products might be available at any time.

We understand it can be frustrating when you are unable to get your preferred brand of a medicine, but using other brands, including overseas-registered products, may be unavoidable at times during these shortages.  We have also approved substitutions your pharmacist can make without needing a new prescription. This may mean you will need to switch between different brands of transdermal patches when the medicine prescribed for you is unavailable.

If your prescribed medicine is unavailable, the pharmacist will give you either of
the following: 

a) a different brand of medicine that releases the same amount of estradiol per day

b) multiple packs of lower-strength patches that release the same amount of estradiol per day.

 

 

If your pharmacist offers you a substitute medicine, they should explain any differences between the products, including if you need to apply multiple patches.  You can find information about how often to apply your HRT patch (or patches) on the label attached by the pharmacist. You can also find this information in the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet that is available from your pharmacist or on our website.

Please note that:

1) certain medicines a pharmacist can substitute may cost you more ─ the pharmacist will tell you about this
2) you may still need a new prescription from your doctor in some cases
3) you should not cut patches that contain estradiol to make an equivalent dose as this may affect how the medicine is absorbed through the skin
4) if you have had a bad reaction to patches or sticky bandages in the past, you should tell your pharmacist. Different brands of patches have different ingredients, including those that help stick the patch to your skin.

 

 

If you are having difficulty getting your regular medicines, speak to your doctor about alternative options for your situation. Other forms of HRT are available, including oral tablets, topical gels and vaginal pessaries.

https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages/information-about-major-medicine-
shortages/about-shortage-transdermal-hrt-patches#information-for-patients

 

How can we help?

Our pharmacist @ HealthEZ Pharmacy can advise you about the best way to get your medicines during these shortages. We have limited stock of Estradiol patches listed on our website and available to order through a valid prescription.

https://healthezpharmacy.com.au/search?q=estradiol+patch&options%5Bprefix%5D=last