UK's NICE Backs Allergan's Botox For Some Migraine Sufferers
May 11 2012 - 5:08AM
Dow Jones News
The cost regulator for the U.K.'s publicly-funded National
Health Service has reversed its earlier stance on U.S.-based
Allergan Inc.'s (AGN) wrinkle-fighting drug Botox and now
recommends its use for some patients suffering from migraine
headaches.
The independent National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence Friday said in final draft guidance that its advisory
committee now recommends use of the injected medicine, known
chemically as botulinum toxin type A, for some adult patients with
chronic migraine, after NICE received more information on the
product from the company. The body had previously said it was not
convinced of the value of funding the therapy on the NHS.
NICE director Carole Longson said in a statement; "we are
pleased that the committee has been able to recommend Botox as a
preventative therapy for those adults whose headaches have not
improved despite trying at least three other medications and whose
headaches are not caused by medication overuse."
A chronic migraine is defined as headaches on at least 15 days
per month of which at least 8 days are with migraine. Chronic
migraines are believed to affect 1.6% of adults in the U.K.
-By Sten Stovall, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 207 842 9292;
sten.stovall@dowjones.com
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