Danish women turn to German pharmacies as hormone medication shortages persist

A pharmacy in the German border city of Flensburg reports a sharp rise in orders from Danish women unable to obtain hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications due to ongoing shortages in Denmark, DR reports.

Sebastian Thude, owner of Rats Apotheke in Flensburg, said his pharmacy now receives between five and ten daily orders from Denmark for hormone preparations, a significant increase in recent months.

“We clearly notice that whenever a product is on backorder in Denmark, we see demand here,” Thude told DR.

Danish women must provide a prescription to purchase the medications in Germany. Anja Trier Wang, a Copenhagen resident, has resorted to mailing a traditional paper prescription to the Flensburg pharmacy after struggling to source her hormone patches in Denmark.

“It’s a bit more hassle this way, but at least I know I can get it there,” she said. Previously, she had spent time tracking down supplies at various Danish pharmacies during shortages.

Under EU rules, prescriptions issued in one member state are valid across the bloc, though medication availability and names may vary. Patients using e-prescriptions typically need a paper version for cross-border use. Danish residents purchasing prescribed medication in another EU country remain eligible for the same subsidies as they would receive domestically.

Thude anticipates further inquiries from Danish women as shortages continue.