Sweden subsidises hot-flush drug for breast-cancer patients

Sweden now subsidises Lynkuet for moderate-to-severe hot flushes and sweating caused by hormone treatment related to breast cancer, while leaving its use for general menopausal symptoms outside the subsidy.

The TLV decision, announced on Tuesday, brings the medicine into Sweden’s prescription-cost protection scheme from 27 October. The regulator made the decision on 22 October.

The restriction covers symptoms caused by adjuvant endocrine treatment: hormone-lowering or hormone-blocking treatment used alongside breast-cancer care to reduce the risk of recurrence.

That treatment can sharply reduce oestrogen levels, triggering sudden menopausal symptoms. TLV says the hot flushes and sweating can be more frequent and severe than during natural menopause, substantially affecting quality of life.

Lynkuet contains elinzanetant, a non-hormonal medicine. Its approved uses also include menopausal hot flushes, but that broader approval does not mean every prescription qualifies for the Swedish subsidy.

TLV says there is no established treatment for the specific symptoms covered by its decision. It assessed Lynkuet against no treatment and found that its benefit justified the cost for this patient group.

Bayer must make the subsidy restriction clear in its marketing and other information about the medicine.

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