Australia Announces Shortage of Hormone Replacement Therapy Patches

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned that the country is experiencing a shortage of Estradot (estradiol) hormone replacement therapy (HRT) transdermal patches for all product strengths.

The transdermal patches, which the agency estimates will be in shortage until July 2021 due to manufacturing issues, are used to provide short-term relief for menopause-associated symptoms.

To address the shortages, the TGA has authorized the supply of five products registered overseas that are similar in strength, but they are also facing delays, prompting the agency to issue a list of substitutions pharmacists may make.