Medicine Supply Notification: Premique Low Dose® tabs
MSN/2021/071
Tier 2 – medium impact
Date of issue: 22/12/2021
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued a medicine supply notification for Conjugated oestrogens/ medroxyprogesterone (Premique Low Dose®) 300microgram/1.5mg modified-release tablets.
- Conjugated oestrogens/ medroxyprogesterone (Premique Low Dose®) 300microgram/1.5mg modified-release tablets are out of stock until w/c 10th January 2022
- Alternative continuous combined oestrogen and progesterone tablets remain available.
Supporting information
- Premique Low Dose® is licensed for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with an intact uterus. It is taken in a continuous combined 28-day regimen of one tablet daily with no break between packs.
- There are no other combined HRT containing conjugated oestrogens.
- SPS MI have advised that of the available continuous combined HRT tablets, the Femoston Conti® range includes a product with lower strength of estradiol (0.5mg).
- Other continuous combined HRT tablets contain higher doses of estradiol; of the preparations containing 1mg estradiol, Indivina® contains the same progestogen as Premique Low dose® but at a higher dose, and Kliovance® contains a different progestogen.
- Refer to BNF for selection of other HRT if the above mentioned products are not considered suitable.
| Alternative continuous combined hormone replacement therapies | Active ingredients | Availability |
| Femoston Conti® 0.5mg/ 2.5mg tablets |
Estradiol 0.5mg / dydrogesterone 2.5mg |
Can support an uplift in demand |
| Indivina® 1mg/ 2.5mg tablets | Estradiol 1mg / medroxyprogesterone 2.5mg |
Can support an uplift in demand |
| Kliovance® tablets | Estradiol 1mg / Norethisterone 0.5mg | Cannot support an uplift in demand |
Counselling points
Patients should be advised that the new HRT prescribed to them contains a different oestrogen and progestogen, and they should report any issues with symptom control or side effects after switching.
The DHSC Medicine Supply Team provide a monthly update on potential supply issues affecting both primary and secondary care. This update is uploaded on the Specialist Pharmacy Services (SPS) website. To register, you will need an NHS email address. Once set up and logged in, you will be able to access it online.
New shortages not listed on the SPS website, can be reported using our shortage reporting tool.
