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Written question asked by Alicia Kearns (Conservative) on Friday, 10 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. It was answered by Zubir Ahmed (Labour) on Thursday, 23 April 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Supply Chains

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what contingency plans are in place if the supply of hormone replacement therapy medication is disrupted due to the war in Iran.

Answer

The Department is closely monitoring the Middle East conflict to assess any potential impact on United Kingdom medical supply chains through disruptions to manufacturing and logistics.

We have limited direct exposure to the Middle East for medical products, and we maintain well‑established contingency arrangements to manage medicine and medical device supply disruptions where these occur. These can include coordination of mutual aid, work to identify alternative products, alternative clinical practices, regulatory easements, and/or use of the Express Freight Service which can provide bespoke global logistics services in the event of critical supply disruption.

The Department is not aware of supply issues impacting codeine and co-codamol as a result of the conflict. The Department is aware of supply constraints affecting co-codamol 30 milligram/500 milligram tablets, which pre-date the conflict and which are due to manufacturing issues. These are in limited supply until early July 2026. We have engaged with National Health Service specialist clinicians and issued comprehensive guidance on how to manage patients during this time and advise on available alternative preparations.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
125083
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Armed conflict Hormone replacement therapy Iran Supply chains
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk