Expensive migraine drug Emgality added to PBS
An expensive migraine drug will be listed on the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS), making it affordable for thousands of sufferers.
Migraine is the most common brain disease in the world, and 71 per cent of sufferers are women. The condition costs the economy more than $3.5 billion a year.
Emgality (galcanezumab) will be listed on the PBS from June 1, so instead of costing $6800 a year it will now cost $41.30 a script or $6.60 for concession card holders.
Migraine is the most common brain disease in the world. Getty
READ MORE: Living with crippling migraines
It is one of three calcitonin Gene-Related Peptides monoclonal antibodies (CGRPs) available to patients in Australia.
Previously patients have been able to access a three-month trial of it and similar products Aimovig (erenumab) and Ajovy (fremanezumab).
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These anti-CGRP medications are the first treatment developed specifically for migraines in more than a decade.
But the medications can cost up to $800 a month, putting it out of reach for many people who benefited from it.
It will now cost the same as Botox, also listed on the PBS, which many patients have administered to reduce the severity of attacks.
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