Global Shortage Looms for Key Menopause Treatment by 2027

Lenzetto, a popular menopause symptom treatment, will return to Spanish pharmacies in the second half of November. Manufacturer Gedeon Richter confirmed the resumption of supply, but cautioned about potential global limitations impacting demand in 2027. The company attributes the current shortage to a sharp, unexpected rise in demand for menopause hormone treatments across Europe, which exceeded its manufacturing and applicator supply capacity.

These supply constraints are temporary and unrelated to the medicine's quality or safety. Gedeon Richter is actively working to boost availability by expanding supplier networks, manufacturing options, and applicator production, including a new plant and production line in Romania. However, pharmaceutical production expansion requires rigorous quality controls and takes time.

The shortage is a global issue, affecting various markets with differing severity. This has led patients and healthcare providers to seek alternative estradiol treatments, causing a ripple effect on other medications. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Spain's AEMPS are monitoring the situation, with Spain investigating the reimbursement of alternative treatments.

While Gedeon Richter maintains close contact with Spanish authorities and has improved its forecasting, it cannot guarantee immediate full supply recovery. The company's objective is to consistently meet patient demand by the second half of 2027.