Express Scripts takes on two migraine prevention drugs but excludes another

There was good news for two US majors with novel CGRP inhibitor migraine prevention drugs, but disappointment for another firm, when US pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) Express Scripts (Nasdaq: ESRX) yesterday announced its new SafeGuardRx Migraine Care Value program, which will begin April 1, 2019.

This industry-first program combines a comprehensive clinical care program to help patients achieve better outcomes and experience fewer migraines, while helping plan sponsors more affordably cover new, preventive therapy for their members, the PBM stated.

"Right now, most patients take medication to make migraines go away. Our goal is to help frequent migraine sufferers prevent the migraine from coming on at all," said Harold Carter, senior director, product, Express Scripts. "Through the clinical care provided through our new Migraine Care Value program, Express Scripts specialist pharmacists in our Neuroscience Therapeutic Resource Center will identify patients using high amounts of acute migraine treatments, and work with them and their physician to move them to an appropriate preventive treatment."

Win for Amgen and Lilly, but not Teva