Your questions
My pharmacy is out of my HRT, what now?
If your HRT is out of stock, ask the pharmacist whether a Serious Shortage Protocol applies, which lets them supply a set alternative without going back to your GP. Try other pharmacies, since stock varies, and speak to your GP about an equivalent if needed. Do not just stop your HRT, as symptoms can return. This is information, not medical advice; your pharmacist and GP can advise on your situation.
Talk to your pharmacist first
The first step is a conversation with your pharmacist. HRT has seen repeated supply problems in the UK, and pharmacists deal with them regularly. They can tell you whether your usual product is expected back soon, whether an official protocol lets them hand you an alternative, or whether you need a new prescription from your GP for an equivalent. It is also worth phoning other pharmacies, including independents, because stock often differs from one to the next.
Serious Shortage Protocols explained
A Serious Shortage Protocol, or SSP, is an official NHS measure used when a medicine is in serious shortage. The NHSBSA explains that an SSP lets a community pharmacist supply a specified alternative, which may be a different quantity, strength, formulation or product, without having to contact the prescriber first (nhsbsa.nhs.uk). SSPs are issued by the Department of Health and Social Care for named medicines and for set periods. Several HRT products have been covered by SSPs at different times, so the right question is simply whether one currently applies to yours. Your pharmacist will know.
Do not stop on your own
It can be tempting to wait it out, but stopping HRT suddenly can bring menopause symptoms back. Instead, ask about a like-for-like alternative, a different way of taking it such as a gel or patch in place of a tablet, or a short-term plan while supply is restored. Your GP or prescriber can advise on the safest way to bridge a gap, and a pharmacist can often help on the spot under a protocol.
Check the current position
Shortages and the alternatives allowed under protocols change over time, so always confirm the up to date situation rather than relying on older lists. The NHSBSA publishes the live list of Serious Shortage Protocols, and your pharmacist can check it for you. If you would like to understand how HRT prescribing varies across the UK, see our HRT prescribing tracker.
Sources
- NHSBSA: Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) (nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/serious-shortage-protocols-ssps)
- GOV.UK: Serious shortage protocols policy (gov.uk)
- NHS: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/)
Frequently asked questions
What is a Serious Shortage Protocol for HRT?
A Serious Shortage Protocol, or SSP, is an official NHS measure that lets a community pharmacist supply a specified alternative when a medicine is in serious shortage, without having to contact the prescriber first. The NHSBSA explains that an SSP can allow a different quantity, strength, formulation or product. SSPs are issued for specific medicines for set periods, so ask your pharmacist whether one currently applies to your HRT.
What should I do first if my HRT is out of stock?
Speak to your pharmacist. They can tell you whether a Serious Shortage Protocol is in place for your product, or suggest an equivalent that your prescriber can authorise. It is also worth asking other pharmacies, as stock varies. Your GP can prescribe an alternative if needed. The key point is to act rather than wait, and not to stop your HRT without advice.
Should I stop my HRT if I cannot get it?
Do not just stop. Stopping HRT suddenly can bring symptoms back. Talk to your pharmacist or GP about a like-for-like alternative, a different formulation such as gel or patch instead of tablet, or a short-term plan while supply is restored. They can advise on the safest way to bridge a gap.
Where can I check current HRT shortages?
The NHSBSA publishes the live list of Serious Shortage Protocols, and the Department of Health and Social Care issues them. Your pharmacist will know what is current. Because shortages and the alternatives allowed change over time, always confirm the up to date position with the pharmacy rather than relying on older information.
Last reviewed June 2026. This is general information, not medical advice, and is not a substitute for a registered clinician or pharmacist. If your HRT is out of stock, speak to your pharmacist or GP. Return to the questions hub.
Editor, Her Vitals
Oliver leads Her Vitals's editorial coverage of women's life-stage health and supplements. He curates and reviews existing branded products across trying to conceive, pregnancy, postnatal, perimenopause, menopause and the senior years, weighing what the evidence supports against guidance from bodies such as EFSA, the NHS and NICE, and is clear that the content is information rather than medical advice.
Last reviewed: 27 June 2026