Shortages of oestrogen patches continue to “frustrate” doctors prescribing menopausal hormone therapy, according to a leading GP who says many patients have been forced to ration patches or switch to gels.

All strengths of transdermal oestradiol (Estradot) patches will be unavailable until mid-2024, while three strengths of combined oestradiol/norethisterone acetate (Estalis) patches will be in short supply for at least another month.

While limited supply of 75µg oestradiol (Estraderm) patches returned last week, and the TGA had approved some alternative products, Hobart GP Dr Karen Magraith told AusDoc it was “hard to keep up”.

“Women are going to multiple pharmacies trying to get their prescriptions filled, and they’re getting really frustrated,” said the former president of the Australasian Menopause Society.