Estrogen patch shortage leaves some Albertans in a lurch, looking for alternatives
CBC
The latest wave of an ongoing shortage of estrogen patches has some Alberta women scrambling to track down supplies or find alternatives.
Health Canada's drug product database shows there were shortages of the three different strengths of the Estradot patch, as well as two forms of the Estradiol Derm patch, as of Monday morning. Both of them are manufactured by Sandoz Canada.
"I'm kind of stuck here,” said Diane Reid, 59, who spent years trying to find the right treatment for her menopause symptoms, which include hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, brain fog and fatigue.
Reid, who lives in Edmonton, eventually ended up using an Estradot patch and found relief.
But she hasn't been able get the right dose through her pharmacy due to the latest supply problems.
“What do I do? Do I just literally live with this? For a lot of us it's not an option, because the symptoms are so bad you just can't function,” Reid said.
Reid said alternatives either don't work as well or cause side effects. She’s now using a combination of a weaker patch strength and an estrogen gel to try and get by until the shortage ends.
Dr. Shafeena Premji became aware of the latest round of shortages about a month ago.
"Patients are calling our clinic asking, 'What else can I take? Is there a substitute?' Pharmacies are asking for an adaptation to the prescription,” said Premji, a Calgary family physician specializing in menopause care.
"This really does put a barrier for that woman to be able to feel she can get her medication in a timely and appropriate way."
Premji is also a board member with the Canadian Menopause Society.
She said in addition to the patches produced by Sandoz, Climara patches, manufactured by Bayer, are also sold in Canada. While there have been supply problems with Climara in the past, no shortages of that brand are currently reported.
There are also other forms of hormone therapy, including pills and gels that can be applied to the skin.
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