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Part of The NHS and NICE conducted analysis and decided on drug benefits and costs, linked to a trade deal intended to appease the Trump administration.

How could the NICE appraisal of a new testosterone cream affect the Department of Health and Social Care?

Possible What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

NICE's decision on testosterone cream cost may reshape NHS drug policy The requirement for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to appraise the female-formulated testosterone cream, AndroFeme, for cost effectiveness is a key policy juncture. NICE's recommendation dictates whether the National Health Service (NHS) can fund the drug, which is currently not available on the NHS. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) oversees the NHS and is responsible for setting the overall health policy and managing the associated resource allocation. Therefore, the outcome of this appraisal will directly influence the DHSC's decisions regarding the inclusion of the cream in national drug formularies and the associated costs.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written Oct 17
Effect
Mixed
How direct
2 steps, 1 inferred by Brind
When
Within weeks
The story
Gone quiet

How it reaches Department of Health and Social Care

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • NICE is required to appraise a specific cream for cost effectiveness.theweek.com
  • The UK approved the female-formulated testosterone cream AndroFeme in 2025.theweek.com
  • The cream is not yet available on the NHS.theweek.com
  • NHS prescriptions for testosterone gel to women rose roughly tenfold between 2015 and 2022 in England.theweek.com

Why it matters

The growing demand for testosterone therapy in women, driven by social media and anecdotal reports, has led to a sharp increase in testosterone referrals to the NHS in Wales and a tenfold rise in prescriptions in England between 2015 and 2022. This surge puts pressure on the NHS to manage the increasing costs associated with these treatments.

If NICE approves the cream, it signals a major shift in how the NHS manages menopause-related symptoms, potentially increasing the budget required for hormone replacement therapy. If it rejects the cream, it maintains the current policy but may intensify the pressure on the DHSC to address the high demand for these treatments through alternative means.

What we don't know yet

  • What specific cost-effectiveness threshold will NICE use when appraising the cream?
  • How will the DHSC respond to the increasing demand for testosterone therapy if the cream is not approved by NICE?

What would change this answer

NICE approves the cream for NHS fundingThe DHSC will need to allocate significant new resources to cover the cost of the cream, potentially impacting other health budgets.
The US FDA releases new data on testosterone therapyNew evidence regarding long-term safety and efficacy could change the clinical benefit assessment, altering NICE's appraisal.

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The full eventNICE to Appraise Testosterone Cream for Cost Effectiveness in England Everything aboutDepartment of Health and Social Care

Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.