Veoza Approved for Menopause Treatment in England
Veoza (fezolinetant) has received approval for use on the NHS to prevent hot flushes in menopausal women, marking a significant advancement in treatment options for this common condition. The approval is expected to benefit around 500,000 women in England who experience these symptoms, which affect approximately 70% of women going through menopause.
The treatment, which is administered as a once-daily oral tablet, works by blocking nerve pathways in the brain that trigger hot flushes and night sweats. This mechanism offers a new alternative for women for whom hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is unsuitable, providing much-needed relief from symptoms that can profoundly impact quality of life.
Helen Knight from NICE stated, “We know that menopausal hot flushes and night sweats can have a profound impact on quality of life and significantly affect overall wellbeing.” She further emphasized that this decision will provide essential relief for those who cannot or choose not to use HRT.
Dr. Sue Mann echoed these sentiments, noting, “Symptoms of menopause including hot flushes and night sweats can affect every part of a woman’s life, so this is very welcome news especially for women who are unable to or don’t wish to take hormone replacement therapy.” She added that Veoza represents a vital treatment option that could help hundreds of thousands of women manage their symptoms more effectively.
Historically, there have been few safe and effective treatment options available for menopausal hot flushes, leaving many women to cope with their symptoms without adequate support. The introduction of Veoza is a significant step forward in addressing this gap in care.
The NHS has set the list price for Veoza at £44.80 per 28-tablet pack, and NICE has found fezolinetant to be cost-effective, offering value for the taxpayer. This approval comes at a time when the global sales of Veoza have reached 35.2 billion JPY for the first nine months of the financial year, indicating strong market interest and demand.
As the healthcare community anticipates the rollout of Veoza, observers are hopeful that it will provide a much-needed option for women struggling with menopause symptoms. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for availability and distribution, but the approval marks a promising development in women’s health.