Two new serious shortage protocols (SSPs) have been issued by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for HRT patches Estradot 50mcg and 100mcg.

This comes as the SSP for Estraderm MX 75mcg and 100mcg patches come to an end today (27 January).

Meanwhile SSPs for Estradiol 0.5mg and 1mg gel sachets are due to continue until 28 February.

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) said that the Estradot SPPs have been issued in response to ‘a significant ongoing disruption’ to supply.

The SSPs instruct that instead of Estradot patches, an Evorel patch of the same strength must be supplied.

They do not allow pharmacists to double up strengths – for example, supplying two 25mcg patches as a substitute for one 50mcg patch.

Pharmacists should also ensure that the patient’s prescriber is notified when supplying in accordance with these SSPs.

PSNC reminded pharmacists that that the supervising pharmacist should use their professional judgement to determine when swapping the patient to a different brand of a patch would not be suitable for the patient, and if so should refer them to their prescriber for further advice.

When supplying in accordance with these SSPs, contractors will be reimbursed the reimbursement price for the correct strength of Evorel patch, as well as being paid a Single Activity fee (currently £1.27) and a SSP fee (£5.35).

HRT shortages have been ongoing over the last year, despite supply doubling by summer 2022.

Mariella Frostrup, chair of campaign group Menopause Mandate, told The Pharmacist in August that doubling supply ‘isn't going to solve the problem, particularly when the amount of women relying on HRT has also doubled.’