I have just been to collect my latest prescription and made aware there is a national shortage of Letrozole. In fact no pharmacy I went to had any notice of when it would be back in stock. I am aware alternatives can cause different side effects and my oncologist was clear Letrozole was best bet for me. What are my options?
Hello WendyF
Thank you for posting. It sounds like you are having a difficult time obtaining your letrozole prescription and it is understandable that you have questions about what to do next.
There are several different brands of letrozole available, and you have not specified which brand that you usually take. Each brand works in the same way and sometimes you may be given a different brand to the one that you have received before. The different brands do not affect the way the treatment works, but some people may find that they experience different side effects according to the brand they are prescribed.
We have contacted [Novartis](https://www.novartis.com/uk-en/contact/contact-us#:~:text=Tel%20(09.00hr%20to%2017.00,.uk%40novartis.com.) who supply Femara and they have stated that there is not a current shortage of the drug. They have advised your local pharmacist to contact them directly so that they can assist them in arranging a supply.
Alternatively, it may help to contact your GP or treatment team who may be able to issue a prescription for an alternative brand.
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