Sweden to investigate hormone drug shortages

The Swedish government will expand an analysis of the international pharmaceutical market after shortages of estrogen medications have left women with menopause symptoms without treatment, state broadcaster SVT reports.

Social Minister Jakob Forssmed said the review will examine whether Sweden should be prepared to pay higher prices to secure access to essential drugs. The Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency has been tasked with studying how Sweden’s pricing affects patient access to new treatments and the overall cost of pharmaceutical benefits.

Estrogen therapy is used to treat menopause symptoms and is critical for health and quality of life. A recent international price comparison found Swedish prices for new drugs are 18% below the European average, while data shows fewer new medications are reaching Swedish patients.

The industry group Lif, representing research-based pharmaceutical companies, welcomed the government’s decision. CEO Sofia Wallström said in a statement that while cost-effectiveness matters, low prices cannot justify losing research investments, longer patient waits, or drug shortages in Sweden.