NICE Finds Novartis’ Migraine Treatment Isn’t Cost-Effective

The U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said Novartis’ Aimovig (erenumab) treatment for prevention of migraines in adults is not cost-effective for use by the National Health Service.

The self-administered injection costs approximately £5,000 per year ($6,377) without factoring in an undisclosed price discount for the NHS.

The institute found that there is clinical evidence showing the drug to be effective, but there was not enough evidence to suggest the drug is more effective than the already recommended botulinum toxin type A for patients with chronic migraine.

Aimovig is the first treatment that targets the process caused by proteins in which blood vessels in the brain swell and lead to migraine symptoms.