PBS access to fremanezumab (Ajovy) is being expanded to include treatment-resistant high-frequency episodic migraine.
The 1 November listing is expected to benefit around 6,100 patients annually, who without the subsidy, might have paid about $6,700 each year for the treatment, but will now only pay a maximum of $30 per script or $7.30 if they have a concession card.
Previously only patients with chronic migraine were eligible for PBS coverage.
In November 2022 the PBAC recommended that fremanezumab be made available to patients with high-frequency episodic migraine, (8 to 14 monthly migraine days) who have failed/tried ≥3 prophylactic migraine medications. In a subsequent meeting the PBAC heard from sponsor Teva that it would not be progressing its application for a quarterly dosing recommendation but would seek a PBS listing for a fremanezumab monthly dosing regimen for initial and continuing treatment.
Melbourne neurologist Dr Elspeth Hutton, who is president-elect of the Australian and New Zealand Headache Society, said the new listing for fremanezumab (Ajovy) – a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibody – had been enthusiastically welcomed by clinicians treating patients with migraine.
“Patients with HFEM have a greater risk of progressing to chronic migraine, and like those with chronic migraine have a higher risk of developing comorbidities, such as medication overuse headache, poor mental health, obesity and cardiovascular illness, so effective treatment for this group not only improves their lives now, but is vital to improve health over the lifespan,” she said in a statement.
“We thank the Australian Government for recognising the burden carried by migraine patients and working to improve their quality of life.”
Advocate Carl Cincinnato, director of Migraine & Headache Australia, said the patient group would have affordable access to a migraine-specific medication for the first time, which would help prevent attacks and alleviate the migraine burden.
“Research indicates [HFEM] shares more similarities with chronic migraine in disease burden than with low-frequency episodic migraine. This helps deliver better access to targeted migraine treatments to those who need them,” he said.