Sept 29 (Reuters) – The Democratic Women’s Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives has urged Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address ongoing supply problems involving estrogen patches and help ensure a reliable supply of the widely used hormone therapy, according to a copy of the letter reviewed by Reuters.
The 96-member caucus sent the letter to Kennedy and FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas on Monday evening, requesting information about the prolonged supply disruption, a timeline for restoring stable availability, and consideration of adding the patches to the FDA’s official list of drugs and treatments in shortage.
Reuters previously reported that women have experienced difficulties obtaining the patches and, in some cases, have had to lower or change their estrogen doses, switch brands or move to alternative forms of hormone therapy.
“Estradiol patches are not in shortage. FDA continues to monitor supply and, if the product falls into shortage nationally, the FDA will then post that information on our website,” an FDA spokesperson said.
Estradiol transdermal patches deliver estrogen through the skin into the bloodstream and are commonly used to help manage menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, mood changes and sleep problems.
Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan and seven other lawmakers had previously contacted Diamantas in July over concerns surrounding the supply disruption. The lawmakers said Monday that they had yet to see meaningful action addressing the issue.
“This goes again to the priority of women’s health in the American healthcare system,” Representative Val Hoyle of Oregon told Reuters, adding that she believes the issue has not received sufficient attention.
Earlier this month, the FDA said it was working with all six manufacturers to increase the availability of estradiol patches.
Hoyle said she wants health officials to respond to the lawmakers’ concerns before Congress returns on November 9, following the midterm elections.
The lawmakers have requested information about manufacturing and supply-chain problems affecting availability, which specific brands and dosages are experiencing the greatest difficulties, and whether the FDA is considering additional manufacturers to help improve supply.
