Consistency is everything when it comes to managing your Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). However, recent national supply chain issues have made maintaining that consistency incredibly challenging for many women across the UK.
The NHS has recently announced that the Serious Shortage Protocol (SSP) for Estradot patches has been officially extended until July 2026.
What does this mean for patients?
Because of this national shortage, local high street pharmacies are currently authorised to substitute prescribed Estradot patches for alternative brands without requiring a GP consultation.
While this ensures patients don’t go entirely without medication, being forced to switch your preferred HRT brand isn’t always ideal. Different brands use different adhesives and delivery methods, and changing patches can sometimes cause symptoms to return or fluctuate.
How PrivateDoc is securing your Estradot supply
We know how stressful it is to chase your prescription from pharmacy to pharmacy. At PrivateDoc, we work tirelessly with our partner pharmacies to ring-fence and maintain reliable stock of key HRT medications, including Estradot, specifically for our patients.
If you have been struggling to maintain your prescription elsewhere, or you want to avoid having your Estradot substituted for another brand, our clinical team is here to help.
Our commitment to ethical, safe prescribing
To ensure we manage our supply of Estradot ethically and safely during this national shortage, our clinical team has implemented the following guidelines:
- Fair Access (3-Month Limit): To prevent stockpiling and ensure we can support as many women as possible with their preferred HRT, we strictly limit orders to a maximum of a 3-month supply per patient.
- Proof of Prescription: To ensure patient safety, if you are bringing your prescription over from your NHS GP or haven’t ordered from us recently, you will need to upload recent proof that you are already established on Estradot during your consultation.
- Expert Clinical Review: Every request is carefully reviewed by our UK-based medical team to ensure your ongoing treatment remains safe and effective.
Ready to secure your supply?
If you are running low and want to secure your next supply of Estradot without the worry of unexpected brand substitutions, we are here to support you. Your medication will be dispensed and delivered directly to your door in discreet packaging.
