How could the NICE appraisal of a testosterone cream affect Eli Lilly and Company?
NICE appraisal may determine market access for testosterone cream The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is required to appraise a specific cream for cost effectiveness. This appraisal determines whether the cream meets the criteria for funding by the National Health Service (NHS) in England. If the cream is deemed cost-effective, it gains market access and NHS availability. Conversely, if the appraisal finds it too costly or lacking sufficient evidence, it will not be available on the NHS, limiting the market for the manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company.
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How it reaches Eli Lilly and Company
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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence must appraise a female-formulated testosterone cream, AndroFeme, for cost effectiveness in England. Although the UK approved the cream in 2025, it is not yet available through the National Health Service because NICE has not completed its cost-effectiveness review. In England, NHS prescriptions for testosterone gel for women increased roughly tenfold between 2015 and 2022.
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NICE's formal evaluation determines if a drug is cost-effective enough for the National Health Service (NHS) to fund. As a pharmaceutical company, Eli Lilly and Company is one of the entities whose products NICE evaluates to determine market access in the UK.
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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 approval of a new testosterone cream could significantly impact the UK market for hormone therapies, given that NHS prescriptions for testosterone gel to women rose roughly tenfold between 2015 and 2022. For pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Company, gaining NICE approval is the critical gateway to accessing the vast NHS market, which dictates the commercial viability of their products in the UK.
This appraisal is part of a broader regulatory environment where NICE evaluates the clinical benefit and cost of drugs. The outcome will set a precedent for how new hormone treatments are integrated into the publicly funded healthcare system, influencing future investment and development in this therapeutic area.
What we don't know yet
- What specific clinical evidence will NICE require to deem the cream cost-effective?
- How will the appraisal compare the new cream against existing testosterone treatments?
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