US health department to remove broad black box warning from three estrogen patch products

Oct 30 (Reuters) The US health department on Friday approved the removal of the strictest black box warnings from the labels of three estradiol transdermal patches, the ​hormone therapies used to treat menopause symptoms. Women in ‌the United States have been struggling to find hormone replacement treatments such as estrogen patches to ease symptoms, including mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances, amid surging demand. The US Department of Health ‌and ​Human Services did not immediately respond ⁠to a Reuters request seeking ⁠brand names for the patches. • The action adds to labeling changes to six menopausal hormone therapy products that the FDA in February approved to remove warnings related ​to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and probable dementia • The US Food and Drug Administration has been working with ⁠manufacturers since September to boost supplies ⁠of estrogen patches, but has not designated the ​patches as being in shortage • Estrogen patch market output