NICE recommends migraine treatment for NHS use

Betsy Goodfellow | April 11, 2024 | News story | Medical Communications NHS, NICE, Neurology, migraine 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has shared draft guidance recommending AbbVie’s Aquipta (atogepant) as an option for preventing chronic and episodic migraines in adults who typically have at least four migraine days per month and where three previous preventative options have failed.

NICE has recommended the drug for NHS use in England, giving approximately 170,000 people a further treatment choice for this indication.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, commented: “Today’s final draft guidance demonstrates our commitment to focusing on what matters most and getting the best care to people while ensuring value for the taxpayer. Currently, the most effective options for people with chronic migraines who have already tried three preventative treatments are drugs that need to be injected. The committee heard from patient experts that some people cannot have injectable treatments, for example because they have an allergy or phobia of needles. So, some people with chronic migraines would welcome an oral treatment. Atogepant also offers more choice for people with episodic migraine.”

Andrew Stephenson, health minister, added: “Migraines affect millions of people in this country and this new treatment will help prevent recurring migraine attacks when other medicines have failed. It will allow more people whose daily life is affected by this painful, debilitating condition to manage their migraines more effectively and to live their lives to the fullest.”

Betsy Goodfellow

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