Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Menopausal Women Feeling 'Blindsided' As Pharmac Switches Hormone Replacement Patch Supplier
A doctor says women feel blindsided by a decision to switch the supplier of hormone replacement patches for menopausal women without any public consultation.
Pharmac will be changing to the Mylan estradiol transdermal patches, conditional on getting full Medsafe approval by 1 July, as the supplier has assured the agency it could produce enough to meet the demand.
However, Dr Linda Dear told Checkpoint the Mylan brand was not as effective for some women, and often lead to symptoms - that had been well controlled on another patch - coming back.
She said some had a rash where the patch was, or had headaches, or felt nausea.
"There's plenty of women who are happy on Mylan, but there's plenty of women who aren't, and for those women this is quite a frightening announcement for them," she said.
Dr Dear added that it was the Estradot brand in particular that women were feeling anxious about losing.
"For some women, for some reason, that seems to be the only type of estrogen that helps them."
She said it felt like a kick in the teeth, especially as the decision came with no public consultation.
"A lot of women are angry, a lot of women are upset, anxious, and I think if people felt like they'd been a bit more consulted... to give their opinions and their stories.
"There are some women feeling like they've just been left in the lurch."
RNZ
New Zealand's public broadcaster, providing comprehensive NZ news and current affairs, specialist audio features and documentaries.
Radio New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995. Radio New Zealand News are vital elements in our programming, providing impartial news and information to New Zealanders every day. Radio New Zealand (RNZ) provides listeners with exciting and independent radio programmes in accordance with the Radio New Zealand Charter.
Education Review Office: ERO Calls For Reform Of NCEA Level 1
NZ Drug Foundation: Two New Studies Show A Concerning Increase In Drug Use And Availability
Emirates Team NZ: Emirates Team New Zealand Ranked #5 In Global Sports Technology Power List
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited: Discover The Treasures Of Tāmaki Makaurau - Making Māori Tourism Accessible To All
International Writers' Workshop NZ Inc: Ōtepoti Poets Top The Kathleen Grattan Prize For A Sequence Of Poems
NZ Amateur Sport Association: 22 Amendments Proposed For 2022 Act Lodged On 22 November