Hi there - this post is about supply issues - the main subject of this thread.....
I just provided some info on another thread about ESTRADOT - but will repeat the essence of it here:
My (prescribing) pharmacist ( who works in my local GP practice dispensary) phoned just now to let me know that there were still no Estradot available despite info to the contrary on the latest BMS update. He phoned Novartis this morning and there are still very few Estradot patches being supplied into the marketplace.
Apparently a few were released last week (he said 100s but then said 25s??) but there are none at the moment. he couldn't say when they would be back on track. He said Novartis supply to Alliance which is owned by Boots and he looked online (at Alliance) after discussing with Novartis (while on the phone to me) and they are also showing red ie none.....
Presumably there are still some ( a few boxes?) somewhere in the supply chain but not consistently.....
There seems to be a discrepancy in what we (and BMS) are being told and what pharmacists on the ground are finding - even direct from the manufacturers. It is puzzling to say the least.
The pharmacists also said due to lack of continuous combined patches that patients were being returned to oral therapy - I didn't get into a long discussion about patches/gel with separate prog!
ESTRADERM - as indicated in the BMS info - is now in short supply - not surprisingly.
I have been prescribed another one that is probably rarely used - ELLESTE SOLO MX 80 mcg - quite a bit higher than I need so what a waste, but didn't want to return to 50 mcg. This is the ONLY other twice weekly patch available
. He prescribed me two months instead of the usual 1 month when there are shortages - but I should get 3 months worth....
Hope this information is helpful and also that others manage to get hold of the few Estradot patches that are floating around. I am mystified as to why it is still not available - I mean is the factory lying idle or are they just supplying elsewhere?
Hurdity x