Pharmac Rationing Menopause Drugs Amid HRT Supply Issues

New Zealand’s Pharmac, the government agency responsible for subsidizing prescription medicines, has begun rationing two key forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopause symptoms, citing ongoing global supply shortages. The changes, announced in late April 2026, affect progesterone capsules and a specific strength of oestradiol patches, impacting thousands of women across the country.

The most immediate change is the shift from three-monthly to monthly dispensing of progesterone capsules, specifically the Utrogestan 100mg brand. According to Pharmac’s official notice, this move is necessary due to limited supply caused by increased demand and manufacturing delays. The agency’s director of pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin, explained that global supply issues—including temperature-related quality concerns during transport—have made it difficult to maintain the usual stock levels.

“With progesterone capsules, we are moving to monthly dispensing of progesterone capsules so that there is enough supply to go around for everyone who needs it,” Martin stated. She emphasized that the supply of capsules is being affected more than patches, partly due to temperature excursions during shipping. Pharmac has confirmed that stock is available at wholesalers and the monthly dispensing schedule is intended to ensure equitable access until further supplies arrive.

“We’re doing everything that we can to minimise the disruption as much as possible. We can’t prevent global supply issues, but we are doing all that we can to help ease the pressure.”

Adrienne Martin, Director of Pharmaceuticals, Pharmac

The supply issue also extends to oestradiol patches, specifically the 75 microgram strength of the Estradot brand. Pharmac reports that approximately 110,000 people in New Zealand rely on oestradiol patches, with a significant proportion using the Estradot brand. The global shortage has made it difficult for manufacturers to keep up with demand, particularly for this specific strength.

Martin noted that the increased demand for HRT is partly due to greater awareness and advocacy for women’s health, with more women seeking treatment rather than enduring symptoms. “I know the suppliers will be doing what they can to increase production,” she said. “The global supply issue has so much demand that it just is very difficult for them to keep up.”

Pharmac has been actively managing these supply issues since 2023, when global shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic left many women frustrated. In 2025, the agency secured funding for alternative HRT forms, including Estrogel branded oestradiol gel, to mitigate disruptions. However, the current rationing of progesterone capsules and the 75 microgram Estradot patches reflects ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent supply levels.

Martin assured that Pharmac is closely monitoring the situation and expects further stock arrivals soon. “There is stock available at wholesalers, and the monthly dispensing will just help make sure that there’s enough to go around to all pharmacies to make sure people need it until further stocks arrive,” she said. She also clarified that there is no evidence linking the current supply issues to the Middle East conflict, describing the problem as a long-standing global issue driven by increased demand.

For women affected by these changes, Pharmac advises consulting with their healthcare provider to discuss alternative treatments or adjustments to their current regimen. The agency emphasizes that these measures are temporary and aimed at ensuring that everyone who needs these medications continues to have access to them.

This development underscores the broader challenges faced by global healthcare systems in maintaining consistent supplies of essential medications, particularly as demand for women’s health treatments continues to grow.