Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to resolve shortages of estradiol gel; and what his timeframe is for increasing access to HRT.

Following the issue of Serious Shortage Protocols for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the supply of in-demand products, including Oestrogel (estradiol) pump-pack gel and Sandrena (estradiol) gel has improved. The Protocols limited dispensing to three months’ supply to manage distribution and allow alternative products to be dispensed, as necessary. Suppliers have secured additional stock of the HRT products experiencing shortages and deliveries of further stock have been expedited.

We continue to work with manufacturers and suppliers to ensure reliable access to HRT products. We welcome plans by suppliers to build additional capacity, including a production facility for Oestrogel and the introduction of new products to the United Kingdom.