Midi Health has released data showing how the nationwide estrogen patch shortage has affected women’s access to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), with some patients rationing or discontinuing treatment.
Presented at The Menopause Society’s annual meeting, Midi’s findings revealed that nearly half of women surveyed struggled to access estrogen patches, while 34% said their pharmacy was out of stock. Looking for a solution, 55% switched pharmacies, 28% rationed their treatment, and 10% discontinued MHT altogether – with some women reporting the return of symptoms affecting sleep, productivity, and overall wellbeing.
“These findings show that a supply problem quickly becomes a patient health problem,” said Dr. Kathleen Jordan, Chief Medical Officer at Midi Health. “When women who have finally found relief are forced to ration or stop treatment, their symptoms return, and their sleep, work and well-being suffer. Women deserve a reliable supply of the therapies they’ve been prescribed, and that requires far greater transparency and stability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.”
Following the removal of black box warnings on menopausal hormone therapy, demand has increased, ultimately leading to access issues. The FDA addressed the nationwide shortage in September and is actively working with patch manufacturers to increase supply, while guiding patients to available alternative form factors such as topicals or pills.
