UK reimbursement setback for novel migraine therapy

Swiss drugmaker Novartis (NOVN: VX) has expressed disappointment in a provisional decision from the UK’s national reimbursement agency not to recommend Aimovig (erenumab) for routine use in England and Wales.

If approved as final guidance, the decision would mean that the novel migraine therapy, a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, would not receive reimbursement for regular use through the UK’s national healthcare provider, the NHS.

Novartis UK managing director Haseeb Ahmad said: “We’re disappointed by this initial decision from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE),” adding: “If this decision remains unchanged patients will be denied access to the first licensed treatment specifically designed to prevent migraine in adults.”