Blood pressure: NHS short of blood pressure medication amid wider shortage

HRT, also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy, is used by menopausal women to combat the loss of oestrogen that occurs during the menopause.

In recent weeks campaigners such as Davina McCall have been raising awareness of the menopause and HRT in a bid to change the conversation around an experience half the population will go through during their lifetime.

Samuels said the shortage of generics had been “taken for granted”, adding: “It is a complex industry, and it is under unprecedented pressure and that does bring a real risk of shortages at the moment.”

Data shows around 50 generics supplied to the NHS are facing supply chain issues; of these, 44 don’t have an equivalent alternative.