Medsafe is investigating a brand of oestrogen patches. Photo: BSIP via AFP
Medsafe is investigating a brand of oestrogen patches, after receiving multiple reports from users who say they are experiencing a lack of adhesion and efficacy.
An Estradot user, Crystal, noticed her menopause symptoms returning, which she did not think much of until reports of similar experiences in an online support group.
She told Morning Report the symptoms included brain fog, sweats and plantar fasciitis, which is pain at the bottom of the foot.
Crystal said an online support group had raised awareness of some faulty batches of the medication, which aligned with the batch numbers she had.
"Some people are reporting that it is not sticking properly, and then others like me are finding that their symptoms are coming back," she said.
"So, the patches don't appear to be releasing the medication like they should."
She found it "horrifying" members of her online support group started reporting the problems to Medsafe on 29 August.
"We're now nearly at the end of October, right? If this was Viagra there would be a Prime Ministerial inquiry about it on the 1st of September."
Medsafe gave her a response about the issue after sending an email a week ago, she said.
"Other people need to know this because the anxiety and depression that comes with perimenopause can lead to suicidal ideation, so this is peoples' lives at stake."
Crystal said she was loathed by the idea of trying another product as her symptoms were relieved when it worked.
She said the two changes she would like to see from Medsafe were funding limits on the patches removed and a substantial investigation into the issue.
In a statement, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said Medsafe was aware of reports from consumers regarding this medicine.
In general people are reporting a lack of adhesion of the patch and lack of efficacy, the spokesperson said.
"Medsafe notes that the nature of the product is such that these types of reports can be expected. However, an investigation is underway with the supplier to ensure that the product available in New Zealand meets regulatory standards."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
