Aimovig tries again for the PBS

Four years since its third failed attempt to get on the PBS, Aimovig is back on the Agenda at the November PBAC meeting. 

Aimovig (Erenumab) is a monoclonal antibody injection that is very effective in helping to manage migraine. The drug company Novartis have take the first step in trying to get it listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which means we are one step closer to affordable access to this important treatment. 

WHAT IS THIS? 

Aimovig was the first of the CGRP medications - before Emgality, Ajovy, Vyepti and Nurtec. It is a preventative injection like Emgality and Ajovy, but it has a different mechanism of action, which means it works for different people. 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

PBAC stands for Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. There are four steps a drug has to go through in order to be listed on the PBS - this is the first one. No medication can be listed on the PBS without it being recommended by PBAC. 

Aimovig currently costs $695 per dose (taken every four weeks). If listed on the PBS the price would be $31.60, or $7.70 for those with a concession card.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO? 

Make a lot of noise! Whether you are on Aimovig or another CGRP or not, we can all together to be heard that we want the right to have affordable medications for everyone with migraine.  

Here's how you can help:

1. Make your voice heard on your need for access to our medications by making your own submission to PBAC! Go to the submission page on the Department of Health website https://ohta-consultations.health.gov.au/ohta/pbac-nov-2024/ and follow the instructions. You can either write something and send it in, or fill out their survey. If you do the survey, at question 7 select ERENUMAB - Aimovig.
   CONSULTATION CLOSES ON SEPTEMBER 25.
2. Write to your local Federal MP to let them know that this is currently being considered by PBAC, and you would like them to talk to the Health Minister about it and do everything they can to help get it listed on the PBS. There is a guide on contacting your local MP in the main Migraine Australia Chat Group.
3. If you haven't already, become a member of Migraine Australia. You can join for as little as $5 (or we waive that for volunteers) and it really helps when lobbying if we can give a really big number of members. 
4. Take our survey on CGRP medications, which we will use in our submission. Survey Closes August 24, 2024

Migraine Australia will also be making a submission as an organisation, and will work with the committee as much as we can to get this done, and finally get Aimovig on the PBS.

We do understand the anxiety of those who are currently paying beyond what they can afford, or have had to stop taking it because they can't afford it, even though they had great results. If you are in that position, be sure to include that in your submission to PBAC and in emails to your MPs.

There will be a live in the main Migraine Australia Chat Group this Friday night at 7.30pm to answer your questions, and we'll share the video to the other main groups afterwards. 

Join our email list to get notifications and updates on our work to get medication access for people with migraine.