(FCM PB - 2018/2)F.D.A. Approves First Drug Design

(FCM PB - 2018/2)

F.D.A. Approves First Drug Designed to Prevent Migraines

“Robin Overlock experienced frequent, debilitating migraines that would last days. After participating in a clinical trial for a new drug designed to prevent migraines, she says she now has only occasional headaches. Credit: Cheryl Senter for The New York Times”

“The first medicine designed to prevent migraines was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, ushering in what many experts believe will be a new era in treatment for people who suffer the most severe form of these headaches.

The drug, Aimovig, made by Amgen and Novartis, is a monthly injection with a device similar to an insulin pen. The list price will be $6,900 a year, and Amgen said the drug will be available to patients within a week.

Aimovig blocks a protein fragment, CGRP, which instigates and perpetuates migraines. Three other companies — Lilly, Teva and Alder — have similar medicines in the final stages of study or awaiting F.D.A. approval.

“The drugs will have a huge impact,” said Dr. Amaal Starling, a neurologist and migraine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. “This is really an amazing time for my patient population and for general neurologists treating patients with migraine.””

(Adapted from: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/17/health/migraines-prevention-drug)

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