Context
Shortages of certain hormone replacement therapies are ongoing, particularly Utrogestan, which has no alternative progesterone product recommended on the serious shortage protocol. Using oestrogen without progesterone can be dangerous.
Question
What steps he is taking to tackle shortages in hormone replacement therapy. Although shortages of Utrogestan are ongoing, there is no alternative progesterone product recommended on the serious shortage protocol. Taking oestrogen without progesterone can be dangerous. Provera is a synthetic progesterone alternative to Utrogestan, but it is not included on the HRT prepayment certificate. Will the Minister commit to placing Provera on the list of products covered by the prepayment certificate as a priority and issue a public health warning highlighting the risks of taking oestrogen without progesterone?
Answer from Maria Caulfield
We are in the process of issuing another bulletin to both GPs and pharmacists on the serious shortage protocols and to make clear the alternatives available. That is a clinical decision. I will certainly look at the issue of Provera because medicines have to tick off a number of criteria to be eligible for the prepayment certificate. I will certainly look into that particular drug.
Not addressed: Commitment to place Provera on the list and issuing a public health warning
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