19 February 2025: 

SANDRENA® estradiol gel 0.1% 0.5g dose joined the SANDRENA 1.0g dose on the PBS from the 1^st November 2024. The 0.5g sachet allows for more accurate dose modification across the three TGA registered doses of 0.5mg, 1.0mg and 1.5mg Sandrena estradiol 0.1% gel¹. 

Women with a healthcare card pay $7.70 monthly for the medium dose of 1.0g sachet and the lower dose of 0.5g sachet. Non-concessional card holders continue to pay less than $20 per month for the 1.0g sachet and less than $15 per box for the 0.5g sachet. SANDRENA allows the flexibility to combine with the preferred form of progestogen in non-hysterectomised women¹.

Supply of some Australian-registered HRT patch products will remain very limited in 2025². The TGA asks prescribers to …”please consider these shortages when initiating new patients on HRT transdermal patches. Limiting initiations in this shortage period will help preserve available supply for existing patients”^2..

From 1^st March 2025 all Estradiol Transdermal gels will be PBS listed.  

Further information on Sandrena is available in the Consumer Medicines Guide.

Australia 

Patch Shortages

There are a number of MHTs that are currently unavailable. Please note that the TGA has approved some unregistered products under Section 19A and some substitute doses are currently in supply in Australia. Pharmacists are encouraged to contact suppliers Medsurge Healthcare Pty Ltd on 1300 788 261 for orders of Estramon and Sandoz on 1800 726 369 for orders of Estradiol Transdermal System.

Oestradiol patches

Combined patches

All doses of Climara have been deleted from the market and there will be a reduction in supply until supply is exhausted.

The AMS Guide to MHT Doses (Australia only) provides a guideline to approximately equivalent doses of the different MHT/HRT products in Australia.

New Zealand

As at 11 December 2024, patch availability is provided below.

More information can be found here