Press Releases
Migraine Treatment Accepted for Preventative Use on NHS in Scotland
11 September 2023 -- Walton Oaks, UK -- Pfizer Ltd announced today that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Vydura (rimegepant) for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the preventative treatment of episodic migraine in adults who have at least 4 migraine attacks but fewer than 15 headache days per month and who have had prior failure on three or more migraine preventive treatments.
Rimegepant is an oral lyophilisate (dissolving wafer) and is the first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for the preventative treatment of migraine to be accepted for use by the SMC.
One in seven people in the UK are living with migraine and it can be debilitating to those affected. Migraines are associated with a wide variety of symptoms, often including head pain, vomiting, nausea, disturbed vision, fatigue and sensitivity to light, sound and smells.
Migraines can begin at puberty, but they mostly affect those aged between 35 and 45 years. Migraines are two to three times more common in women, with hormonal changes being a potential trigger.
Dr David Watson, Hamilton Medical Group (NHS Grampian): “Migraine is a prevalent condition and can be debilitating. This decision further expands migraine treatment options which is a positive step forward in helping to support and improve care for people living with migraine.”
Toby Cousens, head of Hospital and Internal Medicine, Pfizer UK said: “Migraine can place a great burden on the personal and professional lives of those who suffer from them. This decision will help to expand treatment options for eligible patients and help to improve care for people living with migraine.”
It is estimated that up to 43 million workdays are lost each year in the UK to migraine-related absenteeism. In addition, estimates state that migraine may cost the UK economy between £6bn and £10bn per year in total healthcare and productivity costs.
Earlier this year, the SMC also accepted rimegepant for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura, in adult patients who have had inadequate symptom relief after trials of at least two triptans or in whom triptans are contraindicated or not tolerated; and have inadequate pain relief with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol.
Visit: www.pfizer.co.uk
About Pfizer
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. In the UK, Pfizer has its business headquarters in Surrey and is a major supplier of medicines to the NHS.
11 September 2023 -- Walton Oaks, UK -- Pfizer Ltd announced today that the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted Vydura (rimegepant) for restricted use within NHS Scotland for the preventative treatment of episodic migraine in adults who have at least 4 migraine attacks but fewer than 15 headache days per month and who have had prior failure on three or more migraine preventive treatments.
Rimegepant is an oral lyophilisate (dissolving wafer) and is the first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for the preventative treatment of migraine to be accepted for use by the SMC.
One in seven people in the UK are living with migraine and it can be debilitating to those affected. Migraines are associated with a wide variety of symptoms, often including head pain, vomiting, nausea, disturbed vision, fatigue and sensitivity to light, sound and smells.
Migraines can begin at puberty, but they mostly affect those aged between 35 and 45 years. Migraines are two to three times more common in women, with hormonal changes being a potential trigger.
Dr David Watson, Hamilton Medical Group (NHS Grampian): “Migraine is a prevalent condition and can be debilitating. This decision further expands migraine treatment options which is a positive step forward in helping to support and improve care for people living with migraine.”
Toby Cousens, head of Hospital and Internal Medicine, Pfizer UK said: “Migraine can place a great burden on the personal and professional lives of those who suffer from them. This decision will help to expand treatment options for eligible patients and help to improve care for people living with migraine.”
It is estimated that up to 43 million workdays are lost each year in the UK to migraine-related absenteeism. In addition, estimates state that migraine may cost the UK economy between £6bn and £10bn per year in total healthcare and productivity costs.
Earlier this year, the SMC also accepted rimegepant for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura, in adult patients who have had inadequate symptom relief after trials of at least two triptans or in whom triptans are contraindicated or not tolerated; and have inadequate pain relief with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol.
Visit: www.pfizer.co.uk
About Pfizer
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. In the UK, Pfizer has its business headquarters in Surrey and is a major supplier of medicines to the NHS.
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