Veoza Approved for Menopause Treatment
Veoza (fezolinetant) has been officially approved for use on the NHS in England, providing a new option for women suffering from hot flushes during menopause. This decision is expected to benefit around 500,000 women who are unable to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is a common treatment for menopausal symptoms.
Hot flushes affect approximately 70% of women going through menopause, significantly impacting their quality of life. The approval of Veoza is seen as a significant advancement in addressing these symptoms, as it offers a once-daily oral tablet that works by blocking nerve pathways in the brain that trigger hot flushes and night sweats.
Helen Knight, a representative 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 much-needed relief to those for whom HRT is unsuitable.
Dr. Sue Mann, a menopause specialist, 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 another vital treatment option that could help hundreds of thousands of women manage their symptoms more effectively.
The NHS has set the list price for Veoza at £44.80 per 28-tablet pack, which NICE has deemed cost-effective and valuable for taxpayers. This approval comes at a time when there have been few safe and effective treatment options available for menopausal hot flushes, a situation that has persisted for decades.
As the healthcare community anticipates the rollout of Veoza, the focus will be on its accessibility and the impact it will have on women’s health across England. The approval of this treatment is expected to change the landscape of menopause management, offering a new avenue for those seeking relief from debilitating symptoms.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the rollout and availability of Veoza in pharmacies, but the initial response from healthcare professionals has been overwhelmingly positive. The approval marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for women experiencing menopause.
