NICE reverses final decision, now recommending use of Aimovig for migraine treatment.- Novartis

In a very unusual move, NICE has reversed its decision made in September 2020, and now recommends the use of Aimovig (erenumab) from Novartis, for migraine prevention treatment. This reversal appears to be based on additional analyses submitted by Novartis, which show Aimovig has a benefit compared with placebo that goes beyond a reduction in monthly migraine days, and that it is possible that Aimovig may work better than its competitor therapy botulinum toxin. NICE has concluded that the drug is a cost-effective option for treating episodic and chronic migraine after three preventive treatments have failed. Hence those living with four or more migraine days per month, for whom at least three prior preventive drug treatments have failed, will get routine access to this treatment through the NHS. Aimovig has been shown to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing mean monthly migraine days across the spectrum of migraine, with many patients achieving a 30% or greater reduction.