The hot flushes 'gamechanging' med...

[SloaneStreetVandal]

Fezolinetant/Veozah as its called, aka the 'gamechanging' non HRT med for hot flushes.
I keep checking online to see if this can be bought in the UK yet. It was supposed to become available in January in the UK? I can't see any updates anywhere, or the option to buy it, has anyone seen any info/updates? I'm desperate to try it!

AFAIK it's a prescribed medicine.

Have you searched for articles on it?

https://thebms.org.uk/2023/12/bms-update-fezolinetant-licensed-by-the-mhra/

@SloaneStreetVandal It's on private prescription so you would need to get it from a doctor (gynaecologist or a GP) working privately.

There has been much discussion in the media about the licensing of a new treatment option for vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) by the MHRA earlier this month. The BMS would like to provide some clarity with regard to this additional treatment option soon to be available to women.
Fezolinetant was licensed by the MHRA on 14 December and it is expected to be available on private prescription from mid-January 2024. A NICE Technology Appraisal (publication date to be confirmed) is underway to review the clinical and cost effectiveness of fezolinetant; if recommended, it will be available to prescribe on the NHS.

Fezolinetant is a Neurokinin 3 receptor antagonist, licensed to manage vasomotor symptoms, which are the commonest symptoms of menopause that women experience. Neurokinin antagonist medication influences changes in brain neurotransmitters which regulate the underlying process of vasomotor symptoms via the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Ovarian axis. Symptomatic women are more sensitive to changes in brain neurotransmitters.

For women who are unable to have hormone replacement therapy or who do not want to use it, this class of medication has the potential to revolutionise menopause management. It is a very exciting advance, offering women more choice in relation to managing severe vasomotor symptoms, which can have a significantly detrimental effect on quality of life.

The cost of the medication is anticipated to be in the region of £45-50 per month but pharmacies are likely to include additional dispensing fees, which are variable.

The UK manufacturer is liaising with the Society for Endocrinology and the “People With” registry to coordinate patient response to this new medication. This “real world data” will add to the existing data from clinical trials, which will help in the process of making this drug available on the NHS, following evaluation by NICE

@JinglingSpringbells yes I've searched and read several articles, nothing though that gives any sort of guidance or even an update that its actually being sold now. There are several online pharmacies offering a consultation approval, with the med being sent 'when its released'. There was lots of excited chat in the media about it in December, but its gone quiet since.
Edited to say my presumption was it would be available via places like Boots and Superdrug (in the same manner as a private script for HRT) without the need to try and get a GP.

If you want it, I'd assume from the BMS statement that it is only available at the moment privately from a doctor who prescribes privately. I doubt that will include using online pharmacies. It's not the same as HRT because (the last part of the link above shows this) it's not yet approved by NICE. This means it's off-licence and can only be prescribed privately. A GP can't prescribe it and probably won't be able to for a long time as (above) because -

The UK manufacturer is liaising with the Society for Endocrinology and the “People With” registry to coordinate patient response to this new medication. This “real world data” will add to the existing data from clinical trials, which will help in the process of making this drug available on the NHS, following evaluation by NICE

So new patients are going to have to provide feedback [though their doctor] in order for NICE to eventually approve it.

online pharmacies and consultations don't fit the role for this I'd assume.

If you want to try it, you're going to have to see a private GP or a private consultant gynae.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells thats very helpful. I'll look to make an appointment privately with a clinician who can prescribe. Thanks again 😊

@SloaneStreetVandal did you get this medicine in the end? I’ve been prescribed it but it’s so new, I’m a bit doubtful.