Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to stabilise the supply of progesterone and other hormone replacement therapy medications.

There are over 70 hormone replacement therapy products, and the vast majority are in good supply.

We are aware of ongoing intermittent supply issues affecting Estradot (estradiol) patches due to global supply disruptions of this product. We continue to regularly engage with the supplier to expedite deliveries and stabilise supply where possible. We have issued comprehensive management guidance to healthcare professionals and Serious Shortage Protocols to enable community pharmacists to supply specified alternative estradiol patches, with the patient’s consent and without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber.

We continue to work with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Specialist Importers to source unlicensed estradiol and testosterone implants. We are not aware of supply issues with progesterone 100 milligram capsules which is licensed for hormone replacement therapy.