Decision to allow three months’ supply and remove the patch limit for Estradiol TDP Mylan patches

What we’re doing

Pharmac is making it easier for people to access oestradiol treatment by making the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand of patches easier and more convenient to use when it is right for them.

From 1 September 2026:

• People using the Estradiol TDP Mylan brand of patches will be able to collect up to three months’ supply from their pharmacy at once, rather than the current limit of one month’s supply
• The current limit of two patches per week for the Estradiol TDP Mylan patches will be removed.

This approach has been informed by engagement with clinicians and consumer advocacy groups, who told us that allowing three-monthly dispensing and removing the patch limit for Estradiol TDP Mylan patches will help make this brand easier and more convenient to use.

What does this mean for people?

People using Estradiol TDP Mylan patches will be able to collect more patches at once, meaning fewer trips to the pharmacy and a more convenient way to manage their treatment.

These changes are designed to make it easier for people to use Estradiol TDP Mylan patches, where it is right for them.

There will be no change for people prescribed the Estradot brand. They will continue to collect one month’s supply at a time and current patch limits will remain in place. Supply of Estradot patches remains limited and is affected by global supply constraints.

Why we’re doing this

Pharmac funded two brands of oestradiol patches, Estradiol TDP Mylan and Estradot, from December 2025. At the time, we said we would review the patch limits and dispensing rules after 12 months depending on the supply outlook.

Estradot patches have been affected by ongoing global supply constraints for some time. These changes are intended to support ongoing access to oestradiol patches.

Consumers and clinicians have told us that allowing three-monthly dispensing and removing the patch limit for Estradiol TDP Mylan patches would be a positive step to support use by people where appropriate.

This change makes it easier for people to manage their treatment by reducing how often they need to visit the pharmacy. It also helps make better use of the available supply of oestradiol patches across both funded brands.

Who we think will be most interested

• People using menopause hormone therapy, including people affected by the current patch limits or monthly dispensing arrangements, their whānau, and people who care for them
• General practitioners, nurse practitioners, and other prescribers (including gynaecologists and endocrinologists) involved in prescribing menopause hormone therapy
• Pharmacists and community pharmacy teams
• Professional bodies and specialist organisations
• Consumer advocacy groups
• Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
• Pharmaceutical suppliers and wholesalers.

Detail about this decision

From 1 September 2026, dispensing rules for the Estradiol TDP Mylan patches will change.

• Estradiol TDP Mylan patches will be listed in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule using new “per 24 hours” formulation descriptions
• Estradiol TDP Mylan patches will be eligible for stat dispensing, allowing people to receive up to three months’ supply at once
• There will be no weekly patch limit for Estradiol TDP Mylan
• There will be no change to the monthly dispensing or the weekly patch limits for Estradot.
• There will be no changes to the listing of oestradiol patches in Part II Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

The table below shows the new Estradiol TDP Mylan descriptions that will be listed in Section B of the Pharmaceutical Schedule:

We will continue to monitor use and stock levels following implementation, to assess the impact of these changes.

Who to contact

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll-free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.