The Scottish Medicines Consortium has recommended Astellas’s VEOZA (fezolinetant) 45 mg once daily for the treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause in patients for whom hormone replacement therapy is unsuitable.
The decision means fezolinetant will soon be available via NHS Scotland.
Around 400,000 women in Scotland are of menopausal age and an estimated 48,000 may benefit from access to the first neurokinin targeted therapy to be accepted by the SMC.
Hot flushes and night sweats are common symptoms that can be severe and long-lasting, and until now approved non-hormonal options have been limited.
These symptoms can affect well-being and health-related quality of life, contributing to sleep disturbance, low mood, anxiety, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. Greater symptom severity is also linked to poorer overall health status, reduced work productivity, increased absenteeism and presenteeism, and higher healthcare resource use.
Fezolinetant works by selectively blocking neurokinin B in the brain, a neurotransmitter involved in triggering hot flushes. Clinical trial results support its value in reducing the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms and their impact on quality of life. Across studies submitted for UK regulatory review, the most common adverse reactions were diarrhoea, insomnia, abdominal pain and increases in ALT and AST.
Dr Timir Patel, Medical Director at Astellas UK, said: “Through close collaboration between Astellas and SMC, we are pleased that this important additional treatment option will be available to women in Scotland, helping to support more personalised care for those experiencing hot flushes and night sweats.”
Dr Sigi Joseph, General Practitioner, explained: “In primary care, we regularly see the significant impact of hot flushes and night sweats on women’s lives. Today’s decision helps address long-standing inequities and opens up more options for the appropriate patients in managing these symptoms.”
Dr Kay McAllister, Consultant Gynaecologist in Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, said: “Today’s decision marks a positive development for the wellbeing of Scottish women. In clinical practice, I see how hot flushes and night sweats impact sleep and overall quality of life in my patients.”
She added: “The availability of this targeted treatment offers welcome choice and further options for patients.”
