Shortage of migraine medication crushing for chronic pain patients

For the millions of Australians who struggle with migraines, two of the best treatments have become almost impossible to find – and sufferers are terrified of returning to a life of chronic pain.

A migraine medication shortage has spread across the country, threatening to leave tens of thousands of people with a return to chronic pain – and sending ­desperate sufferers out hunting for pharmacies that might still have stocks.

Doctors are now pleading with the Albanese government to take urgent action to acquire more of the life-changing treatments.

Emgality and Ajovy are two of the most effective and affordable treatments for those suffering from chronic migraines, with their listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme keeping their use high.

However, both Emgality and Ajovy are produced in the US, with manufacturers Eli Lilly and Teva Pharmaceuticals reporting severe stock shortages to the Therapeutic Goods Administration earlier this year.

Both medications are administered monthly by injection.

Chronic migraines present differently for patients, with different triggers and symptoms through the population.

It is most common in women, affecting 4.9 million.

The overseas stock shortages may improve in April but Australian medical groups remain sceptical that the commonwealth can renew its stockpiles.

The Albanese government has provided few incentives for pharmaceutical manufacturers to retail migraine medications here, damaging the chance to get medicines in following shortages.

A coalition of medical bodies including Pain Australia, the Brain Foundation, Migraine & Headache Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Headache Society and the Migraine World Summit urged the Department of Health to take immediate measures to get more treatments.

“The interruption of these preventive treatments poses a grave risk, potentially leading to a resurgence of debilitating migraine attacks among patients,” operations director for Migraine & Headache Australia and the Brain Foundation Carl Cincinnato said.

Migraine and Headache Australia operations director Carl Cincinnato.

“Inability to access these preventive treatments not only risks patients relapsing into chronic migraine but also significantly affects overall quality of life, leading to increased chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and disability.

“Despite reports that the stock outage should be resolved by April 1st, there is no guarantee full supply will be available. We’re deeply concerned this supply shortage will worsen and have a devastating impact on the lives of women across the country.”

Alternative treatments can often lead to new side effects for patients, or amplify migraines in more severe cases.

Medications not covered by the PBS, like Aimovig, can cost as much as $695 a month.

Krystie Harris, an avid runner and hospital data analyst, had her first migraine after the birth of her son Lachlan, 14.

“My migraines left me bedridden (and) vomiting. I had to go to the hospital for dehydration. It wasn’t just the migraine, it was the aftermath as well,” Ms Harris, 44, said.

“It was like a dark cloud always hanging over me. I couldn’t plan activities because I didn’t know if I’d be bedridden. I’ve missed my closest friend’s wedding ceremony. I’ve missed my daughter’s first day of school. I had missed some big, big things in my life.”

In 2022, the NSW central coast mother of two began taking Ajovy, and it drastically improved her quality of life. Recently, though, she has had to spend entire days travelling between chemists searching for doses.

Health Minister Mark Butler. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Emilie, 38, a public servant from St Ives in Sydney’s north, developed chronic migraines after a severe concussion in 2021. She experienced daily migraines triggered by light. She could not drive long distances, could not look at a screen for longer than 10 minutes.

While she had a great response to Emgality, the shortages threaten to make her daily routine impossible. She’s never had to worry about medication shortages before, but now faces a return of horrific pain.