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[bear]

Hi again girls,

There is a November 2019 January 2020 medicines shortages list from Irish Pharmacy Union stating that Vagifem is 'on allocation'  (not allowed to post a link)

'What does “on allocation” mean?

A product on allocation is one that is distributed in a manner that limits distribution of scarce supplies until a shortage is resolved. Allocation plans may include strategies to control the quantity and frequency of product releases, placing limitations on quantities sold or limiting release to emergency-only use to conserve product for patients with life-threatening conditions for which there is no alternative therapy.'

Let's hope it doesn't escalate.

BeaR.

[bear]

Hi everyone,

Latest Theramex update on Evorel https://www.theramex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Evorel-UK-Stock-Update-from-Theramex-Stock-Update-21JAN20.pdf

BeaR.

[Hurdity]

Thanks bear. Taz told everyone the good news about this yesterday!

Hurdity x

[Wrensong]

Thanks BeaR  - I looked at Theramex site this morning & only managed to turn up the previous update!

[shrosphirelass]

Good news. My dr said yesterday he envisaged ongoing issues when the supply comes back due to people stockpiling. Lets hope that they have increased production sufficently to account for this. Fingers crossed everyone!

[Yorkshire Girl]

Thanks BeaR, I only have two of my everol 100mg left and today Dr's have prescribed me Elleste 80mg but only a months supply!

[roseandthorn]

But no news on FemSeven.   😟

[dahliagirl]

I think FemSeven is a separate issue - it is gone until they have worked out how to make it stick - although why they ceased production without making enough to cover the gap??? or reformulated while still producing -  Who knows.

[roseandthorn]

I hardly had any problems with them sticking and they've been out of stock a lot longer than Everol patches. Theramex estimate the end of this year for restocking. Nothing I have had since has suited me. Utrogestan plus FemSeven 50 was a disaster. I have been on Femoston Conti which was my least worst option, mostly controlling the hot flushes but now I've started bleeding again, so it's not holding....

[dahliagirl]

To get the same hormones, Mirena + oestrogen patches would be the best thing, but that does mean having and IUCD inserted with is not everyone's cup of tea.

I have just started Femoston Conti.  Fingers crossed about the bleeding.  It was in stock at the Chemists too <phew>

[bear]

Hi girls,

I suspect FemSeven Conti and Sequi adhesive issue is a lame excuse because FemSeven Mono is available and sticking... The problem is that Theramex is a new company and when they acquired the rights to sell Teva's women's health portfolio, Teva had already decided to stop producing FemSeven.

I have emailed Janssen and Novartis in other countries and both have replied that the shortages are due to problems obtaining the active pharmaceutical ingredient (norethisterone and levonorgestrel, and more recently, estradiol). The main sellers are China and India and FDA inspections of their manufacturing plants have halted or delayed production.

The FDA has also red-flagged a US based hormone patch manufacturer, Noven (subsidiary of Japanese Hisamitsu) in 2016. It took them 3 years to sort out the issues and they will probably resume normal production this year. Noven is responsible for manufacturing Estradot in many countries (I have checked the leaflets).

Estradot marketed in the UK is apparently manufactured by Novartis in Germany, but Noven's issues explain why Novartis is blaming 'shortages in the market of generic alternatives are increasing the demands of Estradot that Novartis are unable to fulfil'.

Anyway, 2020 sounds promising, one way or another. Let's hope for the best (and prepare for the worst).

BeaR.

[roseandthorn]

Hi dahliagirl....I was going to have the Mirena but I have a fibroid which would have made insertion difficult. I do at least find that Femoston Conti controls the hot flushes well enough and is not out of supply as far as I can tell....well, I haven't haven't had any trouble getting the prescription filled. But the balance doesn't seem right hence the breakthrough bleeding. I had all the tests, scans etc not that long ago but have an appointment with my Meno specialist coming up so will discuss then.

Theramex have been very hard to make contact with over FemSeven Conti. I too don't believe the only reason was the adhesive but we can only wait and hope that the prediction of it being back in supply by Q4 2020 is accurate. I'm not holding my breath!

[dahliagirl]

I hope the breakthrough bleeding settles. The fibroid may not be helping.  Good luck with the meno specialist.

I used to have breakthrough bleeding problems when I first started on the contraceptive pill many years ago and I have never worked out the whys and wherefores of how it happened - I just got prescribed a bog standard pill by a rubbish GP and it was never a problem again with any other pills I took    Since then, I have read that it can be the wrong sort of progestogen, not enough progestogen, too much, or even not enough oestrogen.

I was going to ask for oestrogel + uterogestan but since I also had the hurdle of having had problems with the nurse that wants me off hrt I just asked to change from the femoston 2/10 to the conti 1/5 as I know it is likely to work for so I wouldn't have to keep trying to get appointments with the Right Doctor.

I have read that breakthrough bleeding is not unusual to start with though.

Just to add, I have never had any problem getting femoston 2/10 - it seems less popular.

[Rhiner]

Dear BeaR,
Many thanks for the update again, really useful update as usual.
Rhiner

[bear]

Dear BeaR,
Many thanks for the update again, really useful update as usual.
Rhiner

You're welcome, Rhiner!

BeaR.