The drug estradiol, which is available on the Montenegrin market under the name Neofolin, at the initiative of the Association Spectra, was added to the list of drugs that can be distributed in health centers.

The availability of this medicine is of great importance for all women who use it as therapy, including trans women, whose health and life depend on the continuous availability of this medicine, and who until now could only get this medicine in general hospitals or the Clinical Center of Montenegro. This practice prevented access to therapy for a large number of women, who had to travel up to twice a week from their places of residence to cities with general hospitals, which is not possible for a large number of them who live in difficult economic conditions and/or whose employers do not understand their health needs.

After more than 10 years of shortage and unavailability of this drug, in October of last year, the availability of the drug Neofolin was systematically resolved, a new obstacle appeared in the form of the availability of this drug exclusively in general hospitals. This especially affected all those women who are faced with economic difficulties and insecure jobs.

Recently, after 8 years of public appeals by the Association Spectra and allied organizations, warnings from numerous international addresses, and initiatives submitted by the Ministry of Health, the Government of Montenegro adopted a new List of Medicines, which will distribute this medicine not only to hospital health institutions, but also to primary health care institutions, i.e. health centers.

In this way, this problem is solved, and anyone who needs therapy can get it by submitting to the selected doctor a report from an endocrinologist prescribing an estradiol injection, and then the doctor will open an order for the injection and request the medicine at the health center where he prescribes. After that, it is necessary to wait a few days for the medicine to arrive at the Health Center, after which the patient can receive the medicine. Considering the above, we advise everyone to contact the Health Center at least one week before the planned injection.

The solution to this problem represents a significant step in the direction of the availability of health care for all citizens, however, we remind you that Montenegro is far from a quality health care system that takes care of everyone. General availability of health care and understanding the needs of groups experiencing economic and social violence are steps towards creating a state where citizens can and actually want to live.