The UK's HRT shortage has been one of the most high-profile medicine supply issues of recent years. This page tracks the timeline from the initial crisis in 2021 through to the current situation, with monthly updates.
The Complete Timeline
2021: The Storm Begins
HRT shortages first became widely reported in late 2021, though supply was tightening earlier. Key factors included:
- HRT prescriptions had been rising steadily as menopause awareness grew
- Celebrity advocates including Davina McCall brought menopause into mainstream conversation
- Besins Healthcare's Oestrogel and Utrogestan faced production constraints
- Supply-demand imbalance began manifesting as pharmacy stock-outs
2022: Full Crisis
2022 saw the shortage reach crisis proportions:
| Month | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| January | Multiple HRT products unavailable; patients report months-long waits |
| April | Government appoints Madeline McTernan as HRT Supply Lead; SSPs issued |
| April | HRT Prepayment Certificate announced (launched 2023) |
| July | Supply starts to improve for some products |
| October | New suppliers licensed; Evorel patches improve |
2023: Gradual Recovery
Supply improved through 2023, though pockets of unavailability continued:
- HRT Prepayment Certificate launched in April 2023 at £18.70/year
- Most gel and tablet formulations returned to adequate supply
- Patches remained the most constrained category due to manufacturing complexity
- New MHRA approvals for additional HRT products broadened the market
2024: Stabilisation
By 2024, the HRT supply situation was markedly better:
- Most products were reliably available most of the time
- Occasional stock-outs were short-lived (days rather than months)
- Manufacturer investments in expanded capacity began paying off
- The HRT Prepayment Certificate fee was reduced to £8.35
2025-2026: The New Normal
The current situation represents a significant improvement, though not a complete resolution:
- Core HRT products (Oestrogel, Elleste, Femoston) are widely available
- Some patch products still experience intermittent issues
- Utrogestan (micronised progesterone) has occasional supply blips
- Some older/less common HRT products have been discontinued rather than restocked
March 2026 Status Update
Current availability snapshot:
✅ Widely Available: Oestrogel, Elleste Solo, Elleste Duet, Femoston 1/10 and 2/10, Lenzetto spray, Bijuve, Evorel 50 patches
⚠️ Intermittent Issues: Evorel Conti patches, Utrogestan 100mg, Premique (being discontinued)
❌ Discontinued: Some older combined HRT products — ask your GP about alternatives
⚠️ Intermittent Issues: Evorel Conti patches, Utrogestan 100mg, Premique (being discontinued)
❌ Discontinued: Some older combined HRT products — ask your GP about alternatives
Lessons Learned
The HRT shortage crisis taught important lessons about medicine supply in the UK:
- Demand can outstrip supply rapidly when awareness campaigns succeed faster than manufacturing can scale
- Patient advocacy works: Political pressure from women and campaign groups drove government action
- Diversified supply is essential: Reliance on a small number of manufacturers creates fragility
- Regulatory agility matters: Faster MHRA approvals for alternative products could have shortened the crisis
- Communication is crucial: Patients need clear, honest information about what's available and what isn't
What to Do If Your HRT Is Unavailable
- Check our latest HRT update for current availability
- Ask your pharmacist about equivalent products from different manufacturers
- Discuss alternative delivery methods with your GP (switching between patches, gel, tablets, or spray)
- Try online pharmacies which may have different stock
- Sign up for MediWatch alerts to track your specific HRT product
Related
HRT Shortage: Latest Updates
Current availability by product
Your Rights When Medicine Unavailable
Know your entitlements
Generic vs Branded Medicines
Understanding your options
Related shortages
HRT shortage tracker
Category updates for HRT medicines
Estradot shortage page
Current patch availability updates
Oestrogel shortage page
Track Oestrogel pump-pack supply status
Data sources: DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications · NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols · NHS England
Page last updated: 7 March 2026. Data checked daily.
Page last updated: 7 March 2026. Data checked daily.