Women risking their health to source HRT amid shortages, UK GP chief warns

Exclusive: Women forced to turn to black market or share drugs as concerns rise over mental and physical impact

The hormone replacement therapy (HRT) supply crisis must be resolved quickly because so many women" are experiencing distress and some are risking serious side effects by using medication prescribed to others, the UK's most senior GP has warned.

There have been acute shortages of some HRT products, which are used by about 1 million women in the UK to treat symptoms of the menopause. Some women have turned to the black market or are meeting up with other women in carparks to buy, swap or share medicines.