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India Faces Menopause Treatment Crisis as Pfizer Halts Supply
16 Jul
Summary
- Pfizer halted Premarin vaginal cream supply due to challenges.
- The cream is a key treatment for menopause symptoms in India.
- Limited alternatives leave millions of women with few options.
Pfizer has temporarily discontinued the supply of Premarin vaginal cream in India due to unspecified "supply challenges." This decision significantly reduces estrogen therapy options for countless women in the country managing menopause-related symptoms.
The Premarin vaginal cream, a mixture of estrogen hormones, is crucial for treating symptoms like vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. It has become a vital treatment in India, accounting for over half of all units sold in its category in the 12 months ended June 2026.
This suspension could leave patients with severely limited alternatives. Experts note that India already has scarce treatment options for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Besides Premarin, the only other commonly available option is Evalon, marketed by Torrent Pharmaceuticals.
Many popular online pharmacies in India, including Netmeds and Tata 1MG, currently list Premarin cream as "out of stock." This shortage affects an estimated 400 million women aged 45 and older in India by 2026.
