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
February 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 MedWatch 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
Data sources: DHSC Medicine Supply Notifications · NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols · NHS England
Page last updated: 7 February 2026. Data checked daily.
Page last updated: 7 February 2026. Data checked daily.