Ritlecitinib becomes the first treatment for alopecia areata to be available on the NHS

Alopecia areata patients across the UK are celebrating after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved the first-ever treatment for the condition for use on the NHS. The new drug, ritlecitinib (known as Litfulo), is now available to individuals with severe alopecia areata, offering the promise of improved hair regrowth through a simple daily tablet.

This decision marks a major breakthrough for those who have struggled for years without licensed treatments for alopecia areata on the NHS. The autoimmune disorder causes the immune system to attack hair follicles, leading to hair loss. Ritlecitinib, a drug developed by Pfizer, works by targeting and reducing the enzymes that contribute to inflammation and hair loss, making it the first recommended treatment for the condition by NICE.

Sue Schilling, CEO of Alopecia UK, called the approval a “monumental day” for the alopecia community. She highlighted the significant impact of this move, which finally provides patients with access to treatment that was previously only available privately. This approval addresses long-standing concerns about unequal access to essential treatments, offering patients in need an effective, cost-efficient option.

While celebrating the approval, Schilling also stressed the ongoing challenges faced by patients, including difficulties accessing dermatology services and navigating long waiting times. She urged the NHS to maintain open referral pathways for alopecia patients and address the barriers still faced by the community.

The decision follows a public consultation and additional information about the drug, along with a price discount, enabling NICE to reverse its earlier rejection. NICE’s Helen Knight expressed her delight that this new treatment will be available so soon after the drug received its licence from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority.

Lynn Clay from Pfizer UK also acknowledged the psychological toll that alopecia areata can have on patients, noting that this new treatment could significantly improve their quality of life.

For the first time, patients suffering from severe hair loss due to alopecia areata have a treatment option available through the NHS, offering hope and support to thousands across the country.