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Photo: Garo Phanie \/ AFP\n<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health says its medicine regulations unit has not found any issues with one of the most popular brands of hormone replacement therapy patches.<\/p>\n
Medsafe investigated Estradot oestrogen patches<\/a> after receiving multiple reports from users who say they are experiencing a lack of adhesion and efficacy.<\/p>\n A Ministry spokesperson said the investigation included the testing of 10 batches of Estradot. “[It] did not identify any product quality issues that explain the lack of adhesion or lack of efficacy issues.”<\/p>\n Dr Megan Ogilvie, an endocrinologist at ERH Associates in Auckland, told Morning Report that she and her colleagues have spoken to a number of patients who say the patch had suddenly stopped working for them, despite being a superior product.<\/p>\n She said that if users felt that the treatment was no longer working for them, they should see their doctor.<\/p>\n Medsafe said it took all reports of medicine concerns seriously and had acted “promptly” to coordinate an investigation into the reports.<\/p>\n “This has involved Medsafe working closely with Sandoz (the manufacturer) to investigate complaints regarding Estradot patches.<\/p>\n “The manufacturer says that there are a range of factors that may affect both adhesion and effectiveness. These include application technique, patient-specific variables, and environmental factors.<\/p>\n “The product leaflet contained within each box of Estradot, and the Consumer Medicine Information sheet on the Medsafe website, emphasises the importance of proper skin preparation and patch placement.<\/p>\n “Anyone wanting advice on their medicines should speak to their healthcare professional.”<\/p>\n