The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have decided not to recommend Aimovig (also known as erenumab) for preventing migraine.
As this is the first medication designed specifically for migraine in nearly 30 years, (and currently the only medication of it's kind), this is such disappointing news. This wasn't initially going to be something I posted about, but as NICE's public consultation closes in a few days I thought I'd quickly type up some thoughts.
What is Aimovig / Erenumab?
Erenumab (brand name Aimovig) blocks the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor thought to be responsible for transmitting the pain signals associated with migraine- it is the first and only preventative treatment designed specifically for migraine to do this.
The treatment was developed over the last 30 years by my own Neurologist, Professor Peter Goadsby of King's College London.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have decided not to recommend Aimovig for preventing migraine.
What does this mean?
The decision by NICE means that Aimovig won't be available for NHS use. It is still available in the UK privately at a cost of £386 a month, but this sadly makes the medication inaccessible to many of us.
Can anything be done to change this?
Yes!
NICE have this month published draft guidance for public consultation. Here you can read the committee's findings, and have your say. It takes a couple of minutes to register online with NICE, and then you will be able to submit your comments on the decision.
Here you can share your experiences with migraine - the impact it has on you, and what this treatment could mean for you and your quality of life. It would also be useful if anyone who has tried Aimovig and had positive results could sign up and share their experiences.
The closing date for comments is on the 31st January 2019, before the second appraisal committee meeting on the 14th of February.
Fingers crossed we'll have more positive news following the next committee meeting.
Have you tried, or were you hoping to try Aimovig?
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
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