Estrogen Shortage Hits Thousands of Swedish Women as Alternatives Dwindle

Sweden faces a persistent shortage of estrogen patches, leaving thousands of women scrambling for alternatives. Pharmacies' shelves are increasingly bare, and even backup options like sprays and gels are beginning to run out, creating a domino effect that impacts numerous patients. Some women in northern Sweden have resorted to "estrogen tourism," traveling to Finland to obtain the medication.

The root of the problem lies in a significant increase in global demand for hormone replacement therapy. Manufacturers are struggling to keep pace, with one producer of an estrogen spray citing a lack of plastic pumps from a supplier. Sweden's position as a smaller market and its historically low prices for medications mean that companies often prioritize supplying countries that offer higher returns, exacerbating the shortage.

Historically, estrogen use declined in the early 2000s following the controversial Women's Health Initiative study. However, subsequent research led to a reassessment, and prescriptions have since surged. Current guidelines recommend hormone therapy for healthy women under 60 experiencing menopausal symptoms. Last year, Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare updated its guidelines, further boosting demand. Approximately 205,000 women over 45 are now treated with estrogen, representing over 8% of that age group.

In an unusual move to bolster Sweden's competitiveness, the Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency (TLV) has approved a 60% price increase for the Estradot estrogen patch. The hope is that this will incentivize the manufacturer, Sandoz, to prioritize deliveries to Sweden this autumn. The government has also tasked the TLV and the Medical Products Agency with exploring the feasibility of producing hormone medications domestically.