FDA claims there’s no estrogen patch shortage as women struggle to get prescriptions filled
NBC News • • health
Key Points:
- The FDA removed the black box warning from hormone replacement therapies last year, leading to a significant surge in demand for estrogen patches, the most insured type of hormone therapy.
- Despite reports of estrogen patch shortages from doctors and patients, the FDA has not officially listed any estrogen patches as in shortage, though the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists includes 14 brands or dosages on its shortage list.
- The increased demand is driven by changing perceptions of hormone therapy safety, longer durations of use, and more women starting therapy earlier, with prescriptions for estrogen-based therapies rising 184% from 2018 to 2026.
- Manufacturers are ramping up production, but supply issues may persist for months or years due to production batch planning; alternatives like different brands, doses, oral estrogen, vaginal rings, and creams are available for patients facing shortages.
- Experts advise that while patches are preferred for cost and insurance coverage, other forms of estrogen therapy have comparable safety profiles and can be used as substitutes during patch shortages.
