UK – Pfizer’s Litfulo recommended by NICE as first treatment for severe alopecia areata

Pfizer’s Litfulo (ritlecitinib) has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to treat severe alopecia areata in patients aged 12 years and older.

NICE’s decision, which could benefit up to 14,000 patients, makes Litfulo the first treatment for severe alopecia areata to be recommended by the agency for use on the NHS.

Affecting approximately 147 million people globally, alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease characterised by patchy or complete hair loss on the scalp, face or body. The condition can develop at any age and nearly 20% of patients are diagnosed before the age of 18…