Catastrophic' shortages of HRT and Contraceptives are unacceptable and continue to harm women

Tens of thousands of women are being harmed by 'catastrophic' shortages of HRT and contraception, campaigners warned last week. Professional bodies, doctors and MPs are demanding immediate action from the Health Secretary to alleviate the crisis, insisting 'women deserve better'. In a joint letter to the Matt Hancock, health leaders warned that women have been left in distress for over a year due to shortages of HRT medication. Meanwhile worsening shortages of contraceptive drugs are causing 'utter chaos', leading to unplanned pregnancies and risking a spike in abortions. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the British Menopause Society and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare urged the Government to launch a working group to investigate into the crisis. In a letter expressing frustration at the 'lack of transparency' over the reasons for the shortages, they said it is still unclear why they 'seem to be unique to the UK'.