HRT shortages lead Finnish woman to seek medication in Croatia

Raija Ek from Vantaa faced a desperate situation in early July when her long-used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medication ran out in pharmacies, with no availability expected for months—even in neighboring countries. The return of menopausal symptoms, previously controlled by HRT, hit her hard. Ek reported severe sweating episodes every couple of hours, soaking her clothes and disrupting her social life and sleep.

Upon investigation, she found that Indivina tablets were also out of stock in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Estonia. In response, she acquired an English prescription, preparing to travel to Croatia solely to obtain her medication, as restocking in Finland was not anticipated until autumn.

While various HRT options exist, switching medications is not straightforward. Ek’s Indivina does not have a directly interchangeable alternative, prompting her to consult a doctor. The doctor suggested a similar product, yet the response to the new treatment was not immediate. After nearly a week, she noted slight improvements, including potentially reducing sweating episodes.

According to Finland’s Medicines Agency, Fimea, there has been a prolonged shortage of estrogen-containing hormone patches, stemming from multiple global issues affecting supply chains. Fluctuating demand, logistical challenges due to the pandemic, wars, and geopolitical tensions have compounded the situation.

Both Orion and Sandoz, pharmaceutical companies, have reported the uncertainty in delivery timelines. They have sought allowances to introduce alternative products in Finland to help mitigate the shortages. Last year alone, over 2,800 supply interruption notices were submitted to Fimea, a number that continues to rise.

Ek expressed relief in finally receiving help for her distressing situation and is hopeful for a return to normalcy as her new medication begins to take effect.