Hormone Shortages Average 1,201 Days, Data Shows
Published data cited in a September 2026 analysis shows that in the United States, drug shortages in the hormone class last an average of 1,201 days, and that the raw hormone active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in menopause hormone therapy are dominated by two source countries — China and India. The figures provide supply-chain context for the intermittent Canadian shortages currently affecting some estrogen patches and Premarin vaginal cream.
What the shortage data says
The analysis reports that when a hormone drug shortage occurs, the average duration is 1,201 days, compared with about 1.5 years on average across all drug classes. As of February 13, 2026, 194 drugs were reported as being impacted by shortages, and between 2021 and 2022 the number of drug shortages jumped 30%.
In Canada, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) states there are between 1,500 and 2,000 active drug shortages at any given time. CPhA has confirmed current supply challenges affecting some estrogen patches and Premarin vaginal cream, with alternative products remaining available.
Why hormone APIs are concentrated
The analysis identifies soybeans as the source of stigmasterol, the starting raw ingredient used in semi-synthesis of the hormones in menopause hormone therapy. Two countries — China and India — dominate the world market in converting stigmasterol into hormone API, with Israel and the Netherlands identified as additional large-scale producers.
The same stigmasterol input is used for estradiol and progesterone as well as for hormones in birth control pills, patches, rings, hormone IUDs and testosterone, meaning that manufacturers may prioritize higher-margin products when capacity is constrained.
How Canada tracks and responds
Health Canada defines a drug shortage as occurring when a drug manufacturer isn't able to supply enough of a drug to meet all of its Canadian orders on time. When a shortage may pose a significant risk to patients, Health Canada's Health Product Shortages Directorate assembles a Tier Assignment Committee to determine whether the shortage is Tier 3, the most serious level.
Mitigation options listed by Health Canada include using regulatory powers to allow drugs labelled and approved for other markets to be imported into Canada, fast-tracking regulatory reviews, and extending shelf life where supporting data exists.
Canadian reporting on the current gap
According to a written statement from Health Canada reported by CBC, menopause hormone therapy drugs were generally available in Canada with the exception of estrogen/progestin patches, with an estimated end date of July or August. Since 2017, Drug Shortages Canada has recorded 92 shortages and four discontinuations of products containing estradiol, spanning transdermal patches, pills, vaginal rings, topical gels and creams.
Christian Ouellet, vice-president of corporate affairs at Sandoz Canada, told CBC that producing a drug can take anywhere from 18 to 24 months from sourcing raw materials to distribution.
What this means for price comparison
Product-level pricing on WomensHealthPrices.ca continues to be tracked across menopause hormone therapy and dermatology categories. Readers monitoring supply can review current listings for estradiol patch pricing, estradiol gel pricing, oral estradiol pricing, Premarin pricing, progesterone pricing, and vaginal estrogen pricing. Additional updates are posted on women's health news.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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