Madrid — Women in Spain who have struggled to find Lenzetto, a widely used oestrogen spray for menopausal symptoms, will see it back on pharmacy shelves from the second half of November. The Hungarian pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter confirmed the timeline in response to queries from European Pulse, adding that it is doing "everything possible" to ensure stable production through 2027, though it admits that global supply limits may prevent it from fully covering demand.
The shortage, which began in April, stems from a sharp and unexpected surge in demand for hormone replacement therapies across Europe. Gedeon Richter says that both its manufacturing capacity and the supply of the applicator device used with Lenzetto could not keep pace with the spike. The company stresses that the issue is purely logistical and "is not related to any problem with the quality or safety of the medicine."
Production expansion underway
To address the shortfall, Gedeon Richter is running its existing production lines at full capacity and is working to expand both its supplier base and manufacturing options. The company is also investing in a new plant and a dedicated production line in Romania, as part of a broader effort to increase output. However, it cautions that pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion is slow due to stringent quality controls.
"We are working so that the changes can improve supply as quickly as possible," the company said, acknowledging that the measures will not resolve the situation overnight. The goal, it says, is to consistently meet patient demand from the second half of 2027.
The shortage is not confined to Spain. Gedeon Richter confirms a global shortfall, though the severity varies by market depending on local demand, forecasting capacity, and logistics. In Spain, the lack of Lenzetto has forced patients and clinicians to switch to other forms of estradiol, creating a domino effect on alternatives such as Evopad, Estradot, and Bijuva.
The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) has recorded supply problems affecting these transdermal therapies. In an early October statement, AEMPS said the Ministry of Health has been in contact with holders of other hormone treatment alternatives that are not currently reimbursed, to explore their possible inclusion in the National Health System's pharmaceutical services.
AEMPS has also criticised Gedeon Richter for what it calls inaccurate supply forecasts and insufficient notice of interruptions. The company says it works "in a collaborative manner" with the agency and has improved its forecasting systems in response to what it describes as "unprecedented" demand.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has flagged the Lenzetto shortage and is studying possible coordinated measures at the European level. This is part of a broader pattern of medicine supply disruptions across the continent, which have also affected other essential drugs.
For now, Spanish women and their doctors will have to wait a few more weeks for Lenzetto to reappear. The return is welcome, but the company's warning that global limits may persist into 2027 means the relief could be temporary. As the spray's return approaches, many will be watching whether Gedeon Richter can keep its promise of stable supply.
