TY - JOUR
T1 - Worldwide availability of medications for migraine and tension-type headache
T2 - A survey of the International Headache Society
AU - Puledda, Francesca
AU - de Boer, Irene
AU - Messina, Roberta
AU - Garcia-Azorin, David
AU - Portes Souza, Marcio Nattan
AU - Al-Karagholi, Mohammad Al-Mahdi
AU - de Dhaem, Olivia Begasse
AU - Tassorelli, Cristina
AU - May, Arne
PY - 2024/11
Y1 - 2024/11
N2 - BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the differing global access to acute and preventive medications for migraine and tension-type headache.METHODS: A custom-built questionnaire created by members of the International Headache Society Juniors Group was sent to International Headache Society members worldwide, including a list of acute and preventive treatments for migraine and tension-type headache. This list was based on evidence-based medicine guidelines. For each treatment, participants were asked about availability, type of reimbursement and variability of access within their country.RESULTS: Eighty-four members completed the questionnaire providing data for 84 countries. The majority were neurologists (88%) and worked at an academic/university hospital (62%). Of participants, 36% were located in high-income economy countries and 13% were located in low-income economies. Common preventive treatments such as propranolol and topiramate were available in most countries (respectively in 99% and 92% of responding countries). Sumatriptan was available in most countries (95%), whereas other triptan availability was lower. Novel migraine treatments such as rimegepant and erenumab were only available in 14% and 46% of the assessed countries, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Availability of headache medications, ranging from simple analgesics to novel therapies migraine-specific drugs, varied greatly across the world. Actions are needed to improve effective drug availability in many countries to ensure an adequate management of people living with headache.
AB - BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the differing global access to acute and preventive medications for migraine and tension-type headache.METHODS: A custom-built questionnaire created by members of the International Headache Society Juniors Group was sent to International Headache Society members worldwide, including a list of acute and preventive treatments for migraine and tension-type headache. This list was based on evidence-based medicine guidelines. For each treatment, participants were asked about availability, type of reimbursement and variability of access within their country.RESULTS: Eighty-four members completed the questionnaire providing data for 84 countries. The majority were neurologists (88%) and worked at an academic/university hospital (62%). Of participants, 36% were located in high-income economy countries and 13% were located in low-income economies. Common preventive treatments such as propranolol and topiramate were available in most countries (respectively in 99% and 92% of responding countries). Sumatriptan was available in most countries (95%), whereas other triptan availability was lower. Novel migraine treatments such as rimegepant and erenumab were only available in 14% and 46% of the assessed countries, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: Availability of headache medications, ranging from simple analgesics to novel therapies migraine-specific drugs, varied greatly across the world. Actions are needed to improve effective drug availability in many countries to ensure an adequate management of people living with headache.
KW - Humans
KW - Migraine Disorders/drug therapy
KW - Surveys and Questionnaires
KW - Tension-Type Headache/drug therapy
KW - Analgesics/therapeutic use
KW - Societies, Medical
KW - Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209955238&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/03331024241297688
DO - 10.1177/03331024241297688
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39552307
SN - 0333-1024
VL - 44
SP - 3331024241297688
JO - Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache
JF - Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache
IS - 11
ER -