Oestradiol patches: Estradiol TDP Mylan will be your funded brand

What is changing?

The main funded brand of oestradiol patches is changing to Estradiol TDP Mylan (supplied by Viatris).

This means that, from 1 July 2025, everyone who uses funded oestradiol patches will need to start using the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand. Estradiol TDP Mylan will be the only funded brand of oestradiol patches from 1 December 2025. We understand some people may already be using this brand.

Read the full decision: Conditional award of Principal Supply Status for oestradiol patches

We acknowledge that some people are disappointed by this decision. 

Media release on oestradiol patch supply issue and our decision to fund Estradiol TDP Mylan

Estradiol TDP Mylan is already available

Estradiol TDP Mylan was introduced as alternative oestradiol patch option if people were unable to get the Estradot brand.

Estradiol TDP Mylan has been provisionally approved by Medsafe. It is currently being evaluated for full approval by Medsafe. We expect this to happen before 1 July 2025.

Medsafe datasheet: Estradiol transdermal patches (Mylan) [PDF](external link)

The Estradiol TDP Mylan patches contain the same active ingredient, in the same quantities, as the Estradot brand of oestradiol patches. It is used in other countries, like the United States already.

There have been supply issues with oestradiol patches

In the past three years, demand for oestradiol patches has tripled - growing from 1.3 million patches dispensed in 2020/21 to over 5.1 million patches in 2024/25. This demand is expected to continue to increase.

The issues we’re experiencing are part of a global shortage of oestradiol patches. This is not specific to New Zealand. Shortages are being experienced in many other countries, including Australia. (external link)International suppliers are building up their production capabilities, but some are finding it difficult to keep up with global demand.

To help manage this shortage of supply, Pharmac listed multiple other brands of oestradiol patches on the Pharmaceutical Schedule – including Estradiol TDP Mylan. However, there have still been periods of low or no supply of patches, leading to people needing to use different brands, different patch strengths, or running out of patches completely.

Why is this happening?

Oestradiol patches were included in the 2023/24 annual tender as part of Pharmac’s efforts to secure supply of oestradiol patches that can meet current and future demand.

Pharmac uses the annual tender to help keep up with the increasing demand for medicines we already fund and secure future supply.

Once a year, we invite suppliers to bid to be the leading suppliers of certain medicines. This means they would have exclusive supply for at least 95 per cent of the funded public market (also known as Principal Supply Status).

Viatris, the supplier of Estradiol TDP Mylan, has been conditionally awarded the new exclusive supply agreement and will need to get full regulatory consent from Medsafe by 1 July 2025. It has assured Pharmac it will be able to meet future demand for oestradiol patches.

This decision will help us improve supply of oestradiol patches.

About the Pharmac Tender process

What does this mean for people using oestradiol patches?

From July 2025, your pharmacy is likely to start giving you the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand of oestradiol patches. From 1 December 2025, the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand of oestradiol patches will be the only funded brand listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

You may have already used this brand because it is already funded due to the supply issue.

Our Endocrinology Advisory Committee told us that consistent access to the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand of oestradiol patches, and access to an oestradiol gel, would meet the health needs of most people.

Additionally, our Tender Clinical Advisory Committee considered the suitability aspects of the Mylan patch. The Committee is made up of expert pharmacists, doctors and nurses. They considered the packaging, adhesiveness, size and presentation of the Mylan patches to be acceptable.

We appreciate that switching to a different brand of medicine isn’t always easy, but we hope the changes being made will make it easier to access oestradiol. We know everyone’s situation is different so please speak to your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns about what this decision might mean for you.

Who to contact

If you have questions about this decision, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

If you use oestradiol patches, we suggest you talk to your pharmacist or the person who prescribes your patches first. They know you best.