Long-term daily pill to treat endometriosis now available on NHS

For the first time, a long-term, daily pill for the treatment of endometriosis will now be available on the NHS.

The combination treatment pill, relugolix–estradiol–norethisterone, is faster-acting than current injectable treatments and can be taken at home.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which has recommended the treatment, relugolix–estradiol–norethisterone works by blocking specific hormones that contribute to endometriosis while providing necessary hormone replacement.

Director of medicines evaluation at National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), Helen Knight, said: “Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million women in the UK, causing chronic pain and fatigue when tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body. Despite its widespread impact, diagnosis typically takes nine years from when symptoms first appear.

“Instead of travelling to clinics for injections, there is now a daily tablet that can be taken at home. The treatment can also be stopped and started more easily, which is particularly important for those planning to have children and for managing side effects.”

Patients who have not responded to medical or surgical treatments will be able to access the treatment.

NICE confirmed that its recommendation for the treatment follows an earlier negative recommendation and comes after the company provided new evidence that addressed NICE’s initial questions about the treatment’s effectiveness and value for money.