Veoza approved on NHS for non-hormonal hot flushes
The non-hormonal pill veoza will be available on the NHS in England for treating moderate to severe menopausal hot flushes and night sweats when HRT is unsuitable, the guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence confirms. The recommendation opens a daily, non-hormonal option for women who cannot take HRT and highlights a policy shift toward alternatives highlighted by Helen Knight at NICE.
Veoza approval by NICE
NICE has recommended the drug Veoza, also known as fezolinetant, for use on the NHS in England to treat moderate to severe hot flushes and night sweats. The pill, approved in 2023, works by blocking nerve pathways in the brain that trigger those vasomotor symptoms. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said the evidence shows fezolinetant can meaningfully reduce symptoms and was found to be cost effective. The decision suggests NICE judged the clinical benefit and cost profile sufficient to add Veoza as an option for the NHS in England.
England: Around 500, 000 women
About 500, 000 women in England are estimated to be eligible to benefit from the treatment, particularly those for whom HRT is unsuitable. The new option responds to cases such as women with a history of breast or ovarian cancer, blood clots, or untreated high blood pressure, where HRT may not be appropriate. The fezolinetant 45mg tablet is taken once a day and offers a non-hormonal mechanism that directly targets the brain pathways behind hot flushes. The figures point to a substantial unmet need among women in their 40s and 50s whose options up until now have been limited.
Comments from Dr Sue Mann
Dr Sue Mann, national clinical director in women’s health for NHS England, described the decision as very welcome for women who are unable to or do not wish to take hormone replacement therapy. She said the drug could help hundreds of thousands of women experiencing menopause to manage their symptoms better and feel more in control of their health. HRT remains the first-line treatment option because of its established benefits and variety of formulations, and NICE expects most women with moderate to severe symptoms will continue to take HRT.
The specific question left open is whether health authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland will follow the NICE recommendation and whether Scotland’s separate medicines body will reach the same conclusion on Veoza for its health service.
