Photo: COLLANGES / BSIP via AFP
Women who have struggled to get hormone replacement treatment due to the global shortage of oestrogen patches in recent years finally have another option.
From today, Pharmac is funding an oestrogen gel.
In an interview with Nine to Noon, Auckland-based endocrinologist Dr Megan Ogilvie said it was a huge relief to many thousands of patients after more than five years of supply problems for HRT patches.
"It's been extremely difficult. Women describe extreme anxiety waiting to get their scripts filled, feeling like they can't get their medication, which is so important for their productivity, for their health, for their wellbeing.
"So it's been a very stressful time and it's great we've got another option now for both women, and for transwomen."
Patients had been paying up to $70 a month for the gel until now, which was "a barrier" for some, she said.
Pharmac's move followed years of advocacy by doctors and patients.
"We have been asking for this for quite a few years, with patches not keeping up with demand... This will give women choices.
"The transdermal approach is the gold standard internationally in terms of safety - but it will come down to personal choice."
Women who suffered hormone-driven migraines could still need patches - but it was likely the global shortage would continue for some time, Ogilvie said.
According to Pharmac, prescriptions for HRT have tripled since 2019.
Ogilvie noted HRT's history was "complex", with many doctors and patients frightened off it by studies more than 20 years ago suggesting it was associated with a higher cancer risk for some women.
"The trial in 2002 was good data but not well presented and prescriptions plummeted.
"Increasingly we understood that menopausal women were under-treated.
"And then there's been a lift in menopause discussion in social media (menopause is certainly having a moment!) and this has driven women to come forward with symptoms and - very reasonably- to ask to be heard and to ask for a treatment option that's very safe for most women."
Ogilvie said Pharmac's decision to fund the gel was "a huge step forward", but there were still many other options for HRT and contraceptives available overseas but not in New Zealand.
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