About the shortage of transdermal HRT patches

Pharmaceutical companies, Sandoz and Juno, have notified us of shortages of their estradiol and combination estradiol/norethisterone transdermal patch products. These medicines are used as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the management of perimenopause and menopause. 

The shortages, which are due to manufacturing issues, are affecting multiple brands as follows:

Up-to-date information about these shortages is also published on the Medicine Shortages Reports Database, which can be searched by a medicine’s trade name (brand) or active ingredient, or by clicking on the therapeutic class tab and searching for ‘Genito urinary system and sex hormones’ using ‘CTRL + F’ on the database web page. 

The Climara brand of HRT transdermal patches was discontinued at the end of 2023, which has contributed to the supply constraints of alternative products.

We have approved the supply of overseas-registered alternatives to many strengths of Estradot under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. Go to the Section 19A approvals database for up-to-date information about these alternative products (search by the active ingredient, ‘estradiol’).

Information for patients

We understand the importance of a reliable supply of these medicines for the patients who use them, and we appreciate the concern and frustration these shortages have caused. 

Your pharmacist can tell you about the best way to get your medicines during these shortages. To help with supply, we have approved access to several overseas-registered versions of estradiol patches. Your pharmacist can order these alternative products by contacting the approval holders, their contact details are available on the Section 19A approvals database. Some of these overseas registered alternatives are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). 

If you are having difficulty getting your regular medicines, speak to your doctor about alternative options for your situation. Other forms of HRT are available, including oral tablets, topical gels and vaginal pessaries.

Information for prescribers

Please consider these shortages when initiating new patients on HRT transdermal patches. Limiting initiations in this shortage period will help preserve available supply for existing patients.

Please refer to this webpage and the Medicine Shortage Reports database for up-to-date information about return-to-supply dates for different brands and strengths.

We have approved the supply of multiple overseas-registered estradiol-containing transdermal patch products. Pharmacists can order these alternative products and supply them using existing prescriptions. From 1 June 2024, the 37.5mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg strengths of the overseas-registered alternative, Estradiol Transdermal System (Sandoz, USA) are subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Further details are available on our Section 19A approvals database. 

Patients and pharmacists may contact you for advice about prescriptions for estradiol-containing transdermal patch products and to authorise alternative strengths or substitute medicines. We acknowledge the difficulties involved in supporting your patients, and the burden these shortages have caused.

Information for pharmacists

We understand the difficulties the shortage of HRT products has caused you and the patients who rely on them.

We have approved the supply of multiple overseas-registered estradiol-containing transdermal patch products. You can order these alternative products and supply them to patients using existing prescriptions. 

Please call the approval holders, Sandoz on 1800 726 369 or Medsurge Healthcare on 1300 788 261, for details about ordering these products. The 37.5mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg strengths of the overseas-registered alternative ‘Estradiol Transdermal System (Sandoz, USA)’ are also subsidised on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  Further details are available on our Section 19A approvals database. 

General information

Please note that the dates given for these shortages may change and we encourage you to check the medicine shortage reports database for updates about the supply of HRT transdermal patch products.

Please also keep in mind that we can work with pharmaceutical companies to communicate information about medicine shortages to health professionals and patients, but we cannot compel companies to increase supply or apply to have their products subsidised on the PBS.

While we can suggest approaches to manage the supply of medicines during shortages, we do not have the power to regulate the clinical decisions of health professionals.

We will continue to monitor the supply of estradiol-containing transdermal patch products and work with the suppliers and relevant health professionals to update this advice if needed.

Reporting problems

Consumers and health professionals are encouraged to report problems with medicines or vaccines. Your report will contribute to the TGA's monitoring of these products.

The TGA cannot give advice about an individual's medical condition. You are strongly encouraged to talk with a health professional if you are concerned about a possible adverse event associated with a medicine or vaccine.