Hormone Replacement Therapy

HRT in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the government subsidises prescriptions so for most medicines you will only pay $15 for a three month supply of each, irrespective of the daily dosage and actual cost of the medicine - less if you're on a low income. This is a much better deal than available in most countries. Most types of hormones and hormone supressants are available in NZ, including Androcur (though only specialists can prescribe it), with one major exception.

Obtaining Progesterone in New Zealand

May 2002 Update: Micronized progesterone is available from Pharmaceutical Compunding New Zealand Ltd, P O Box 34 897, Birkenhead, Auckland.

Unfortunately, none of the manufacturers of progesterone distribute it in New Zealand (except in injectable form by the name Gestone), so it is not available from pharmacies and is not covered by Pharmac or medical insurance. I recommend writing to them and requesting that they do something about this. Possible candidates are: Laboratoires Besins Iscovesco (5, rue du Bourg l'Abbe - 75003 Paris, France) who make Utrogestan, Schering in Canada who I believe originally developed Prometrium; Solvay, who distribute it in the US; and New Zealand-based distributors who could possibly make a deal like Solvay's. If I can obtain more specific information on who to write to, I'll update this page later.

In the mean time, the best option seems to be mail order from Greece. Olympia Skouvara (email skolviph@hol.gr) sell 100mg Utrogestan (the French equivalent of Prometrium) at US$9.60 for 30 capsules. Airmail postage is US$10 for up to 1kg. They accept orders via email with payment by Visa or American Express, but charge an additional 7% on the total cost to cover bank fees. The alternative is to post a US$ bank cheque; email them for further details. They seem to be a reputable company, and I haven't been able to find any negative reports about them. Though their communication skills are a bit lacking, they do seem efficient enough in sending out orders promptly.

NB New Zealand customs regulations require that prescription medication be delivered to a doctor, not to you directly. Check with your doctor or endocrinologist to make sure they don't mind having your progesterone sent to them.

External Links

• Pharmac - Pharmaceutical Management Agency Ltd, the government department which subsidises prescription medications.
• Ministry of Health
• NZ Customs