At a Glance
Our campaign journey began in April 2026, when we shared the news that Advanz Pharma were discontinuing the manufacture of liquid hydrocortisone in the UK, used for the emergency treatment of adrenal crisis.
What began as a response to the discontinuation of liquid hydrocortisone has evolved into a wider advocacy campaign focused on improving emergency injection and healthcare treatment for those experiencing adrenal crisis.
How we got here
There has been understandable concern across our community. Many people realised their reliance on a more complex emergency injection system that requires fiddly and time-consuming preparation before administration at the point of crisis.
Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate
(liquid hydrocortisone, now discontinued)
Hydrocortison sodium succinate
(powder requiring mixing with sterile water)
At the ADSHG, we worked to provide information and support to patients on use of hydrocortisone sodium succinate, whilst also engaging directly with decision-makers.
We met with representatives from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), opened dialogue with pharmaceutical companies, developed information resources for patients, and launched an MP letter-writing campaign.
The response from the adrenal insufficiency community was remarkable.
More than 150 members and supporters copied us into letters sent to their MPs.
We also secured support from a range of clinical and patient organisations below, including endocrine charities, the Society for Endocrinology and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine.
Our initial goals
Bring Act-o-Vial® to the UK
A short term goal: drive the licensing and therefore availablity of Act-o-Vial® to adult adrenal insufficiency patients in the UK (it is currently licensed in the EU)
'Ready the market'
Emphasise the long-term requirement for a simpler emergency injection delivery method such as a pre-filled syringe or auto-injector
Building Political Awareness
As a result of your letters and our focus, the issue has gained increasing attention within Parliament.
Over 75 MPs, ministers and senior health officials have received briefing materials outlining the challenges caused by the removal of liquid hydrocortisone and the need for simpler emergency treatment options.
Achievements:
- Confirmation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency that an application for Act-o-vial® to be licensed in the UK would be prioritised
- That a similar approach would be applied for new technologies, such as a pre-filled syringe or auto-injector, when they are ready for market.
- Parliamentary Questions: 8 in the English Parliament, 1 in the Scottish and 8 in N.Ireland (at the time of writing)
While this does not solve the immediate problem, it demonstrates growing recognition of the patient safety issues and clinical importance of ensuring access to emergency hydrocortisone that can be administered quickly and confidently when every second counts.
Drop-in event in Parliament, Weds 25 November 2026
We want to ensure continued support from MPs and are delighted, therefore, to be hosting a drop-in event in Parliament on Wednesday, 25 November.
This will be an opportunity for invited Patient Support group representatives and healthcare professionals to help raise awareness of the issues with MPs and Ministers.
What we have learned
Through our engagement with patients, clinicians, parliamentarians and healthcare leaders, two clear themes have emerged.
Emergency treatment must be easier to use
Delays in adrenal crisis treatment can have serious consequences. A simpler injection could help patients, carers and healthcare professionals act more quickly in an emergency
Energency care must be consistent
Differeing awareness of adrenal crisis and variation in care is regularly reported. Electronic patient record alerts are variable. A postcode lottery is not acceptable.
Moving from a Single Issue to a Long-Term Advocacy Strategy
While the liquid hydrocortisone issue remains important, our work has now developed into a broader patient safety campaign with a clear objective:
To ensure people at risk of adrenal crisis have access to faster, simpler emergency treatment and receive rapid, consistent care wherever they are.
Our strategy is built around two key priorities:
Making emergency treatment easier to use
We are calling for:
- A review of whether current emergency hydrocortisone products adequately meet patient needs.
- Action to improve access to simpler-to-administer emergency hydrocortisone products.
- Greater consideration of future innovations, including auto-injector technologies.
- NHS policies that prioritise quick and practical emergency treatment options for patients at risk of adrenal crisis
Strengthening frontline emergency response
We are advocating for:
- Greater awareness of adrenal crisis within A&E and emergency services.
- More consistent use of electronic patient record alerts.
- Standardised approaches to recognising and treating adrenal crisis across NHS systems.
- Improved training and support for frontline healthcare professionals.
What happens next?
Over the coming months, ADSHG will continue building political support and raising awareness of these issues. We have engaged the support of a Public Affairs consultancy team from DGA Group, who will bring campaign expertise and additional resources to support our small team with this important project.
Our plans include:
- Working with multiple stakeholders, including Patient Support Groups, people with lived experience and clinicians, in the Real Story Working Group, focusing on improving care for adrenal crisis in the UK
- Working with supportive MPs and peers to maintain momentum within Parliament.
- Increasing scrutiny through parliamentary questions and direct engagement with ministers.
- Expanding media and public awareness activity.
- Bringing together patients, clinicians, policymakers and healthcare leaders through a dedicated parliamentary event in Nov 2026
- Continuing discussions with government, regulators and industry about improving emergency hydrocortisone access and administration.
Help us to
keep going
Everything we've achieved so far has been made possible by the support of our members, volunteers and donors.
As our advocacy work grows, so too does the time, expertise and resources needed to engage with Parliament, healthcare leaders, regulators and industry on behalf of our community.
If our campaign resonates with you and you would like to help us continue driving change for everyone living with the risk of adrenal crisis, please consider making a donation, fundraising, or supporting our work, however you can. You or someone close to you may have skills or expertise that could help grow our campaign or disseminate the key messages.
If you are ready to get involved, email opsmanager@addisons.org.uk.