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NICE Recommends First Vitiligo Repigmentation Cream for NHS Use in England

NHS England plans to offer ruxolitinib to nearly 100,000 eligible people within about three months after striking a deal with Incyte.

Overview

  • Guidance covers people aged 12 and over with non-segmental vitiligo affecting the face when first-line topical treatments have failed or are unsuitable.
  • The cream is applied twice daily, with clinicians typically reviewing results at around six months before deciding whether to continue.
  • Trials found patients were about four times more likely than those on placebo to restore facial pigment, with many achieving at least 75% repigmentation.
  • Topical ruxolitinib showed mainly mild local reactions such as redness or irritation, with serious systemic effects not reported in vitiligo studies.
  • The decision reverses an August 2025 rejection following a rapid review, a confidential NHS-Incyte pricing agreement, and sustained patient advocacy.